Born to a teacher couple, Balakrishna Pillai and P K Lakshmi Kutty Amma, Manikantan is an alumnus of Sanik School, Kazhakootam and National Defence Academy, Pune.

[3][4] Balakrishnan Manikantan was commissioned as the helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force.

In a career spanning over 37 years, he has as more than 5,400 hours of flying experience across various helicopters and fixed wing plane.

152 Helicopter Unit and has taken part in the Indian Air Force contingent at UN Mission in Congo.

[3][8] A fitness enthusiast and voracious reader, he is married to Group Captain Nirmala Tutakne Manikantan (Retd).