General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was born on 19th September 1933 in Bombay. He received his education from St. Xaviers High School in Bombay. After that he attended the joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in 1949 and subsequently joined into the Regiment of Artillery on December 1949. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues graduated from the Defense Services Staff College and was appointed as the GSOI in a corps. During Indo-Pak war he fought bravely and he was decorated with Visist Seva Medal for his exceptional performance. Between 1973 and 1975 he was GSOI operation of a division. From 1975 to 1977 General Sunith Francis Rodrigues led a mountain Brigade in a high altitude terrain. After that he moved to UK and studied at Royal College of Defense Studies.

General Sunith Francis Rodrigues served as the Chief instructor of Defense Services Staff College from 1979 to November 1981. In 1982, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues got the Masters Degree in Defense Studies. From 1983 to September 1985 he served as the Chief Staff of a Corps and subsequently was appointed as Director General Military Training. He held several other prestigious posts in the army. He commanded a corps as GOC in the Northern Sector in 1986. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues served as Vice Chief of Army Staff from November 1987 to April 1989 and then GOC-in-C of Central Command from April 1989 to October 1989.After that he Commanded the Western region from 01 November 1989 to 30 June 1990. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues assumed the charge of the Chief of Army Staff from in 1990 and served in this post the next three years. He retired on 30 June 1993 after in 41 years of distinguished service to the nation.

After retirement General Sunith Francis Rodrigues started public service. He was appointed as the Director of the International Centre, Goa. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues served here nearly six years. He was the advisor in the National Security Advisory Board for two terms. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was also associated with various types of social works and used to deliver his valuable speech in different strategic issues. He gave his time for expanding education and inspiring children to achieve their ambition. General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was appointed as the Executive Council of Goa University for 7 years. He was the member of the Managing Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Goa Planning Board and the Board of Governors of the Goa Institute of Management.

General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, was appointed as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh on 8 November 2004.During this period he strongly campaigned for the Punjabi interest in India and received several accolades from the people of Punjab and from the Punjabi press.