Rodrigues joined the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in 1949 and was commissioned on 28 December 1952 into the Regiment of Artillery.

He attended the Defence Services Staff College and took over as GSO II operations in XXXIII Corps HQ in 1971.

Rodrigues was then promoted to the rank of Major General and then took over the command of a division in a high altitude area.

He then served as the Chief of Staff of a Corps from 1983 to September 1985 after which he took over as Director General Military Training (DGMT).

After promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General, Rodrigues took command of a corps in the Northern Sector in 1986.