Lt. Gen. Surendra Kulkarni has served in the Indian Army for about four decades. He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in 1975. In his long and distinguished career, he has commanded the largest forces and held some of the most prestigious assignments. In recognition of his special contribution, he has been awarded a Vishisht Seva Medal twice, an Ati Vishishta Seva Medal and finally the highest peacetime distinguished service award in the Armed Forces, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India.

Parallel to his Army career, he has pursued his academic interests. He is an economics graduate from Fergusson College, Pune. He was a post graduate UGC Merit scholar before he joined the Army. He has four Masters Degrees including an M Phil degree.