General Apte has a rich experience of thirty-eight years with the Indian Army. He was awarded the highest military honour of `Param Vishisht Seva Medal' for “distinguished services of the most exceptional order ". He was the Chief Scientist to the Chief of Army Staff. He has vast experience of management of Defence Manufacturing, Research & Development Organisations as well as those dealing with Quality Assurance. He was awarded the Chief of Army Staff's Commendation.
General Apte is a world renowned authority on Reliability & Maintainability Engineering & Total Quality Management. He was the Director General heading the army's equipment management organisation. He specialises in bringing about Organisational Transformation through Creativity, Innovation & Problem Solving. General Apte worked for the United Nations as an ILO expert in Nigeria.