# Rana Pratap Kalita

Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM is a former general officer in the Indian Army. He served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army's Eastern Command. He previously commanded the III Corps at Dimapur.

## Early life and education

He was born in a Assamese Kalita family, in Rangia of Kamrup District to Jogendra Kalita & Renu Kalita. He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Goalpara. He then attended the National Defence Academy,Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy.

## Military career

General Kalita was commissioned in 9 Kumaon Regiment on 9 June 1984 from Indian Military Academy Dehradun. The General Officer commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in intense Counter Insurgency environment in Jammu & Kashmir, Mountain Brigade in peace, an Infantry Division in Jammu & Kashmir and Corps in North East. He brings with him an enormous operational experience of serving in various Ops which include Op PAWAN in Sri Lanka, Op PARAKRAM & Op RAKSHAK in J&K, Op BAJRANG & Op RHINO in Assam, Op ORCHID in Nagaland and Op HIFAZAT in Manipur. The General Officer has rich experience by virtue of serving in varied staff appointments to include Col GS of a Division and BGS (Ops) of a Corps in highly active Counter Insurgency environment. In addition, he has held key appointments in MS Branch, OL Dte, AG’s Branch in IHQ of MoD (Army) and Chief of the Staff, HQ Eastern Comd. He has also served as Instructor in OTA Chennai and Directing Staff in Higher Command Wing of Army War College, Mhow.The General Officer had two tenures in United Nations, as a Military Observer in Sierra Leone and Chief Operations Officer in Sudan. He had commanded III Corps and was the Chief of Staff of Eastern Command. He also served as Director General - Manpower Planning and Personnel Services at Army Headquarters. General Kalita is a recipient of PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM and VSM.
He became the first Assamese to hold the charge of General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command. He succeeded Lieutenant General Manoj Pande on his elevation to Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The General Officer was also the Colonel of the KUMAON & NAGA Regiment and KUMAON SCOUTS.

## Personal life

General Kalita is married to Mrs Nisha Kalita, the couple have two children. Son is Commissioned in the Army and is a serving officer in 9 KUMAON and daughter is a lecturer in Delhi University.

## Awards and decorations

Across his military career Gen Kalita received numerous military decorations. The general officer was awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
| Param Vishisht Seva Medal | Uttam Yudh Seva Medal | Uttam Yudh Seva Medal | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Sena Medal | Vishisht Seva Medal | Samanya Seva Medal | Special Service Medal |
| Siachen Glacier Medal | Operation Vijay Medal | Operation Parakram Medal | Sainya Seva Medal |
| High Altitude Service Medal | Videsh Seva Medal | 75th Anniversary of Independence Medal | 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal |
| 30 Years Long Service Medal | 20 Years Long Service Medal | 9 Years Long Service Medal | UNAVEM III Medal |

## Dates of rank

| Rank | Component | Date of rank |
| Second Lieutenant | Indian Army | 9 June 1984 |
| Lieutenant | Indian Army | 9 June 1986 |
| Captain | Indian Army | 9 June 1989 |
| Major | Indian Army | 9 June 1995 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel | Indian Army | 16 December 2004 |
| Colonel | Indian Army | 1 April 2006 |
| Brigadier | Indian Army | 13 June 2011 (acting) 8 August 2011 (substantive, with seniority from 19 March 2010) |
| Major General | Indian Army | 19 October 2016 (seniority from 1 February 2015) |
| Lieutenant-General | Indian Army | 10 May 2019 |