Flying Officer Ranjan Bhattacharya was commissioned in the Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force in June, 1968.

During the December, 1971 operations he as a Photo Officer of a Fighter Bomber Squadron operating in a forward airfield in the Western Sector, set up a field Photo Section for the Squadron.

His Section had to look after the processing of films not only of his Squadron but also of all the units operating from air field. On 13th December, 1971, when the Squadron was given a Photo task by the Army to photograph Chhamb and a large area west of Tawi river, he accomplished the job of processing 800 feet of film, titling each negative and making 1200 prints in the shortest possible time, by working throughout the night despite enemy bombing raids. The photographs with enlargements were thus delivered to the Army in time for their future planning.

Flying officer Ranjan Bhattacharya displayed great zeal, high devotion to duty and exceptional professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his distinguished service of a high order, he is awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal.