Lieutenant Colonel Ajit V Bhandarkar was born in Bombay (presently Mumbai) on 31 Dec 1960. Son of Mr. Udupi Vasudev Bhandarkar and Mrs. Shakuntala Bhandarkar, Lt Col Ajit has two brothers and one of them, Colonel Arun Bhandarkar, EME is retired from the Army and Mr. Anil Bhandarkar, Entrepreneur, both settled in Bengaluru. Ajit was keen in joining the Army since his childhood and he followed his dream. He completed his primary education in National Public School, Rajajinagar Bangalore and later went to Sainik School, Bijapur where he completed his schooling in the year 1977. After which he joined the 59^th course National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala, Maharashtra and followed by the 69^th course, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun India. After passing out from the IMA, he was commissioned into the Madras regiment on 19^th December 1981. The Madras regiment is one the oldest infantry regiment and his known for its long history of outstanding service and various battle honours.