Col A Rajiv is the 18th Principal of SSI, having taken over on 17 October 2024. He is an alumnus of Sainik School Kazhakootam, Kerala and NDA Pune.

He was commissioned into the First Naga Regiment (Infantry) on 10 December 1994. He is a Kargil War veteran, having served on active duty with his unit at Dras during the war. Due to medical reasons, he joined AEC in 2004.

Graduated from NDA, he holds a Master's Degree in English, an MBA in Human Resources, and an MA in Mass Communication and Journalism. He also holds a PG Diploma in School Leadership and Management from IGNOU.

During his 30 years of service, he has served as Registrar of Sainik School Balachadi, Principal of Sainik School Kazhakootam (his alma mater), GTO at 34 SSB Allahabad, and Director of RTI for the Indian Army, besides carrying out various instructional and staff duties.

He was the Secretary of the Durand Cup Organising Committee for the year 2024.

For dedication to duty, he has been awarded the COAS Commendation Card (2012) and the GOC-in-C Commendation Card (2024).

He is an avid reader and enjoys pencil sketching, cartooning, and writing. The officer is married to Adv Asha Rajiv Nair, and the couple is blessed with two children, Shilpa, an Intern Doctor, and Arvind, a third-year Engineering student at Bangalore.