Rana Pratap Kalita
Indian army general
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Early life and education
He was born 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.
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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 during a counter insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir, Mountain Brigade in peace, an Infantry Division in Jammu & Kashmir and Corps in North East. He served in various operations including operation PAWAN in Sri Lanka, operation PARAKRAM & Op RAKSHAK in J&K, operation BAJRANG & operation RHINO in Assam, operation ORCHID in Nagaland and operation HIFAZAT in Manipur. THe has held varied staff appointments including Col GS of a Division and BGS (Ops) of a Corps in highly active Counter Insurgency environment. In addition, he has held 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 a 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 person from Assam 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. Their son is commissioned in the Army and is a serving officer in 9 KUMAON, and their 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.