Personal life and education

Singh was born on 1 February 1956 in Jalal Usman, Amritsar, Punjab. His father served in the Indian Army and his elder brother served in Indian Air Force.

He graduated from the Defence Services Staff Course and National Defence College, has two M.Phil degrees from Chennai and Indore universities, and was a research fellow for two years on the India-China Boundary issue at the Institute of Chinese Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University during his study leave from the Indian Army.

Military career

After serving as an Infantry Company Commander and Brigade Commander, he was appointed as a Brigadier General of Army Staff. He later achieved the rank of Major General and served as the Additional Director General of Military Operations and Deputy Chief of Army Staff. During his stint in the Army, he was a part of numerous expert groups, joint working groups, annual dialogues and China study group meetings for over a decade. He also served in Banbasa, Uttarakhand, while in the army.

Honours

Singh received four Presidential Awards and two commendations by the Chief of Army Staff while in the Army. He has also received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.