Air Vice Marshal Sabnavis Tirumala Rao was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June 1958. Since then he has been employed on a number of important assignments where he achieved spectacular results, displaying exceptional application of professional knowledge, skilful management of resources and government as well as non government funds. For his remarkable achievements, he has been commended twice by the Chief of the Air Staff.

Air Vice Marshal Rao was appointed as Director of Accounts on the 1st November, 1989. Within a short span of four months, he took upon himself the onerous challenge to remodel the entire accounting system for the airmen and Group 'D' civilians in the IAF. Showing rare ingenuity, dedication and personal involvement, he was instrumental in effecting a recurring saving of Rs. 13 lakhs per annum in foreign exchange by introducing monthly pay slips to airmen in lieu of costly photo­copies. With his keen understanding of various spheres of financial management, AVM Rao launched a drive to clear outstanding air­lift recoveries running into crores of rupees, which had earlier attracted adverse comments from the audit. With positive determination and perseverance, he achieved a recovery of over Rs. 21 crore during the year 1989-90 within a few months of the launching of the clearance drive and over Rs. 32 crore during 1990-91. He has been responsible for computerisation of airlift recovery system and also for other modules like POR, Acquittance Roll, etc. at Air Force Central Accounts.

With a creative bent of mind and capability to optimise and innovate, AVM Rao also introduced a number of welfare measures like schemes for house building advance, motor car/scooter advance from the Air Force Group Insurance Society. Showing rare qualities of vision, he conceived a Group Savings Linked Insurance Plan for the employees, of the AFGIS and Air Headquarters Non Public Funds, wherein the LIC provides insurance cover to the personnel at no cost basis to the employer. With a keen insight into the needs of the lowest paid employees in the service, he was instrumental in getting scholarship schemes for the wards of NC(E) introduced.

Air Vice Marshal Sabnavis Tirumala Rao has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.