Squadron Leader Rajendra Prasad Paliwal was commissioned in the Logistics Branch of the Indian Air Force in December, 1958. He has successfully completed the Defence Services Staff College Course and has also qualified as a Parachute Jump Instructor. He has a total of 230 parachute descents to his credit including many trial descents with indigenous parachutes and airborne equipment both in the plains as well as at high altitudes. He is one of the two Parachute Jump Instructor officers who have jumped at the highest dropping zone in India. Squadron Leader Paliwal was posted as Assistant Director of Operations (Parachuting) at Air Headquarters in December, 1971. He has helped to lay down a paratrooping policy and worked out a training programme which enabled Paratroopers Training School to set an all time record of 35,000 parachute descents and to meet army tasks in full for the first time during 1972-73. In March, 1972, he actively participated in the paratrooping trials from HS-748 aircraft and formulated paratrooping requirements for this aircraft. Free fall parachuting was started in December, 1972 at Paratroopers Training School due to his initiative and untiring efforts. He also edited a training manual on paratrooping from AN-12 aircraft which is of invaluable help to the instructors and the trainees. Squadron Leader Paliwal has also worked out the scales of flying clothing for Parachute Jump instructors and transport aircrew and scales of Safety and Survival equipment for transport aircraft and helicopters.

Throughout, Squadron leader Rajendra Prasad Paliwal displayed courage, professional skill and exceptional devotion to duty.