His father, an Indian government auditor whose job was to audit the Northwest Railways, came from a Brahman family which owned some land near Madras, India. Chandra came from a large family, having two older sisters, three younger brothers and four younger sisters.
Kanyang ama, isang Indian government auditor na ang trabaho ay na-audit ang Northwest Railways, nagmula sa isang Brahman pamilya na pag-aari ng ilang lupa na malapit sa Madras, India. Chandra nagmula sa isang malaking pamilya, pagkakaroon ng dalawang mas lumang mga madre, tatlong batang kapatid na lalaki at apat na mga batang madre.