General Kotikalapudi Venkata Krishna Rao, PVSM, was a former chief of the Indian Army and a former governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. Gen. Rao was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1942.
K. V. Krishna Rao was born on 16 July 1923 in a Telugu Brahmin family to K. S. Narayan Rao and Mrs. K. Lakshmi Rao of Vijayawada. He graduated from the Maharajah’s College, Vizianagaram.

He received an emergency commission as a second lieutenant in the 2nd battalion of the Mahar Regiment. As an young officer, he served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the Second World War. During the extensive Punjab disturbances in 1947, he served both in East and West Punjab. Gen K. V. Krishna Rao was born on 16 July 1923 in a Telugu Brahmin family to K. S. Narayan Rao and Mrs. K. Lakshmi Rao of Vijayawada. He graduated from the Maharajah’s College, Vizianagaram.

Military career
World War II
He received an emergency commission as a second lieutenant in the 2nd battalion of the Mahar Regiment on 9 August 1942. As a young officer, he served in Burma, North West Frontier and Baluchistan during the Second World War. During the extensive Punjab disturbances in 1947, he served both in East and West Punjab.command of the 114 Infantry Brigade in the forward area of Ladakh during 1965–66,[2] when he dealt with both Chinese and Pakistani threats. he commanded the 8 Mountain Division engaged in counterinsurgency operations in Nagaland and Manipur during 1970–72. During this period, his division also participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. His division captured the Sylhet Area and liberated North East Bangladesh. He was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal (the award for distinguished services of the most exceptional order) for displaying outstanding leadership, courage, determination and drive during this War. Gen Rao then moved to Western Sector upon his appointment on 1 June 1972 as chief of staff, Western Command.[11] He served in this role from 1972 to 1974, during which period disengagement with Pakistani troops was carried out and fresh plans were made against likely adventures by Pakistan. General Krishna Rao was appointed as chief of army staff on 1 June 1981, and served in that capacity till July 1983. He was also chairman of the chiefs of staff committee, the highest appointment in the services, during March 1982 – July 1983. His services and leadership were warmly appreciated by the prime minister and the government. Gen Krishna Rao is credited with coming up with a unique military doctrine, now recognized and termed as ‘Cold Start’, during India’s clashes with Pakistan, when the delay in political decision making resulted in constraining the mobilization of India’s military actions. From June 1984 to July 1989, General Krishna Rao was the governor of the North Eastern States of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura. He was also the governor of Mizoram in June 1988 and March to July 1989. He was chancellor of the Manipur and Tripura Universities. He was chairman of the North East Zone Culture Centre. In his capacity of governor of the North Eastern States, he ensured that peace was brought about and maintained, and that the Tripura Agreement was concluded.

General Krishna Rao was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir during 1989–90. As the governor, He was chancellor of the University of Kashmir, University of Jammu and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. He was also chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. When a proxy war developed in Jammu and Kashmir and reached its peak, he was reappointed as governor and served there from 12 March 1993 to 1 May 1998. In this capacity, he was instrumental in restoring peace and democracy in the insurgency-riven state after a long gap of seven years.