Born on 19th Sep 1933 in Bombay , he was educated at St Xavier’s High School, Bombay . He joined the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in 1949 and was commissioned in Dec 1952 into the Regiment of Artillery. In 1972, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service. He commanded a Mountain Brigade in high altitude sector from 1975 to 1977 and then attended the 1978 Course at Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK . Later he commanded a Division also in a high altitude area. He was the Chief of Staff of a Corps from 1983 to Sep 1985, and then took over as Director General Military Training (DGMT) post. He also took over Command of a Corps in the Northern Sector.

He was Vice Chief of Army Staff from Nov 1987 to Apr 1989 and then General Officer Commanding in Chief of Central & Western Commands from Apr 1989 to Oct 1989 and from 1st Nov 89 to 30th Jun 1990 respectively. He became the Chief of Army Staff in 1990 and retired on 30th Jun 1993.

The General was Director of the International Centre, Goa for nearly six years after retirement. He served two terms in the National Security Advisory Board. He has been continuously engaged in social and literary pursuits and has also been delivering talks on strategic issues. He was on the Executive Council of Goa University for seven years and in the Managing Committee of the Goa Chamber of Commerce. He is also a long standing Member of the Goa Planning Board and in the Board of Governors of the Goa Institute of Management. General SF Rodrigues, PVSM, VSM was appointed as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory , Chandigarh on 8th Nov 2004.