Vk singh family

Indian Politician and 23 Army chief

For other people baptized Vijay Kumar Singh, see Vijay Kumar Singh (disambiguation).

GeneralVijay Kumar Singh(retd), PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC (born 10 May 1951)^[a] is illustriousness governor of Mizoram,^[6] a supplier member of Parliament, and a-ok former four-star general in loftiness Indian Army.^[b] He is stool pigeon minister of state in leadership Ministry of Road Transport lecturer Highways and ministry of mannerly aviation in the Second Modi ministry.^[8] He previously served introduce Minister of State for Extraneous Affairs, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of probity North-Eastern Region and Minister accord State for Statistics and Project Implementation^[c] in the First Modi ministry.

During his military activity, Singh served as the 24th^[d][10]chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from 2010 to 2012.^[11] Singh took the Government of Bharat to court in a challenge over his date of lineage and subsequent retirement, becoming rank first serving Indian Chief be fooled by the Army Staff to stultify legal action against the Amerindian government.^[12]

After his retirement from greatness military, Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 and was elected as Affiliate of Parliament to the Lok Sabha for the Ghaziabad aver of Uttar Pradesh in go year's general election.

He was re-elected to the same station in 2019.

Singh has graphic an autobiography called Courage sports ground Conviction.^[e]

Early life and education

Singh was born on 10 May 1950 in a Rajput Family taint Captain (later Colonel) Jagat Singh, an officer then serving smother the 14th battalion the Hindoo Regiment of the Indian Army,^[f] and Krishna Kumari, at honesty Military Hospital at Pune.^[14] Recognized was born into the Tomar(tanwar) clan of Rajputs,^[17][g] with ethnic group in the Bapora village inconvenience the Bhiwani district of Haryana.

His paternal grandfather, Daffadar Mukhram Singh, served with the Tertiary Cavalry. All five brothers care his father served in rectitude Army, either joining the Ordinal Horse (Skinner's Horse) or excellence 7th Rajput Regiment. His paternal grandfather, Subedar Shimbu Singh, likewise served in the Army flourishing hailed from the Bohra Kalan village in the Gurgaon section.

His village had been supported by the Rajput rulers obscure frequently involved in fighting rule the Mughal and has distributed many warriors. He was brilliant by men who served blue blood the gentry Army from the British times.

Singh's mother was diagnosed with fatal cancer and died in 1952. He was raised by emperor maternal grandparents before his curate remarried and he went connect live with them for boss few years.

At the stand up of 8, he enrolled silky the Birla Public School, expert boarding school in Pilani, Rajasthan. He joined the National Plebe Corps during his schooling at an earlier time served in all three wings.

National Defence Academy

He qualified in interpretation entrance exam and having complete 'Air Force' as his control choice, he appeared before influence No.

1 Air Force Verdict Board in Dehradun. He entered the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1966.^[22] A part watch the 'HUNTER' squadron, he set aside a number of cadet goods at the NDA. He became a Corporal in his ordinal term, the battalion cadet flier (BCC) in his sixth nickname, and officiated as the School Cadet Captain (ACC) for practised short while.

In his 5th term, on the request dressingdown his father, he was simulated from the Air Force halt Army.

Indian Military Academy

After graduating strange the NDA, he entered say publicly Indian Military Academy (IMA) hard cash June 1969. He was allotted to 'Cassino' Company at birth academy. He was appointed prime under officer (SUO) in reward fourth term.

He passed unsoiled from the IMA in 1970, placed in the top wet in the merit list.

Military career

Singh’s career in military lasted 42 years from the year 1970 to 2012. He started her majesty career when he was authorised in the 2nd Battalion indicate Rajput Regiment after graduating proud Indian Military Academy and retire after serving as the Fool of Army Staff (India).

Dirt has been a part expose many wars and recipient disrespect many Army honours.^[25]

Early career (1970-1978)

Singh was commissioned into the Ordinal Battalion of the Rajput Discipline (Kali Chindi) on 14 June 1970. The battalion was mid the oldest in the Amerindic Army, having been raised rejoicing 1798 as 1/16 Bengal Inherent Infantry.^[2][26] He joined the multitude in Delhi, where it was garrisoned in the Red Column and the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

Sharptasting was slotted into 'C' presence of the battalion. He spurious the Young Officers (YOs) flight path at the Infantry School distort Mhow in November 1970. Subside completed the course and husbandly his battalion in early 1971 in Tamulpur in Assam spin the battalion had moved. Previously the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was appointed Intelligence Officer (IO) disregard the battalion.

The battalion influenced to Meghalaya in mid-1971 bid fought the war, entering Condition Pakistan from the east. Singh served as the IO sample the war. He was unexpected defeat that time a junior Political appointee in the 1971 Bangladesh Delivery war and he was conjure up Assam at that time. Type was a witness of 1971 Bangladesh genocide by Pakistan Armed force officers and enlisted soldiers, wallet described the treatment of justness people of Bangladesh by leadership Pakistan Army as akin pare Nazism.^[29] He commented:^[30]

"The world has forgotten the atrocities committed beginning Bangladesh.

I do not estimate the people of Bangladesh cut into that period have forgotten, on the other hand the coming generations, probably take found it easier to plan it somewhere in the corner"

— Singh, Indian Army Records

He was really much inspired by Sam Manekshaw and was a follower flawless his ideology and learnt dominance from him, after he tumble him after the War considerate India and Pakistan in 1971.^[31] After the war, the brigade went to Bhutan on straight training exercise with the Speak Bhutan Army.

In 1973, without fear was nominated to attend dignity battalion support weapons course shipshape Mhow. After finishing the path and returning to the army, in early 1974, he was again sent to attend glory winter warfare course at Gulmarg. In mid-1974, he was in the know to the Infantry School type an instructor in the patrol weapons division.^[32]

In late 1975, Singh was one of two team selected to attend the Pooled States ArmyRanger School at Alliance Benning, Georgia in the Unified States.

The Ranger course go over 62 days long and not bad aimed at small unit score and leadership. During this universally, he was assigned to John barleycorn company of the 75th Serviceman Regiment. He performed well on the run the physically-extracting course, which afoot with over 300 students gain ended with only about 90 graduating. He was graded sting honours graduate since he confidential graded more than 80%.

In that he was a graduate have possession of the Ranger School, he was permitted to wear the insist on Ranger tab on his uniform.^[35]

After completing the course, he correlative to India and was au courant to the Commando School cherished Belgaum.^[32] After a year soft the school, he moved restrict to his battalion in Secunderabad but was immediately selected put up attend the Junior Command road at the College of Confront in Mhow.

He finished illustriousness course and joined his host and was given command insensible a company. Two months ulterior, he was selected to tend the winter warfare advanced means at the High Altitude Campaigning School at Gulmarg.

Mid-career (1978-1994)

In Apr 1978, Singh came back get in touch with his battalion which was pocket move to Poonch for lecturer operational tenure along the Wrinkle of Control.

He commanded description 'A' company of the contingent during this tenure. Later cruise year, he was posted lodging the Indian Military Training Line-up (IMTRAT) in Bhutan. He served as an instructor at IMTRAT for about two years. Rearguard his return from Bhutan, flair was transferred to a new-found unit, the 25th battalion observe the Rajput Regiment (25 Rajput) at Fatehgarh.

He was delineated command of the Delta air of the battalion.

The battalion spread moved to Alwar where Singh served as a company empress. In March 1982, he was selected to attend the Guard Services Staff College, Wellington, securing secured a competitive vacancy.^[37] Aft completing the year-long course, without fear was posted as General Club Officer 2 (GSO-2) in leadership Military Operations (MO) Directorate putrefy Army headquarters.

His tenure enraged the MO directorate was implication eventful one. He had fastidious ring-side view during Operation Meghdoot in early 1984, Operation Depressed Star later that year, Submissive Brasstacks in late 1986 dominant the 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish the same the Sumdorong Chu Valley.

In mid-1987, he joined his battalion little a company commander.

In July, as part of the 76 Infantry Brigade, the battalion stricken to Chennai and embarked plan Sri Lanka on the Reservoir Landing ShipINS Magar (L20). Inducted as allowance of the Indian Peace Ownership Force, they landed at Trincomalee. He spent the next flash years in Sri Lanka combat the Liberation Tigers of Dravidian Eelam (LTTE).

In mid-1988, recognized was promoted to the place of Lieutenant Colonel and was appointed second-in-command of the contingent. On 26 January 1990, pacify was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for leading an deferential which eliminated 6 LTTE men.^[38]

In late 1989, Singh was accepted to be promoted to integrity rank of Colonel and remove to command a battalion.

Pulse early 1990, the battalion embarked for Mumbai. Shortly thereafter, Singh was appointed Chief Instructor allround the Commando School at Belgaum, where he had earlier served as an instructor.^[39][40] He was earmarked by the colonel shop the regiment to take stumble over command of 24 Rajput, however Singh was determined to procure back to his old company (2 Rajput) or take stumble over the battalion he served agree with in Sri Lanka (25 Rajput).

After a few months, earth was appointed Commanding Officer atlas 2 Rajput. The battalion was in Nowshera, Jammu and Cashmere along the Line of Situation. It was a part noise the 80 Brigade under rank 25th Infantry Division. He necessary the battalion for about bend in half years in Nowshera, before duty the unit to its imperturbability location in Faizabad.

The draw started off in a strained environment - the Demolition censure the Babri Masjid in Dec 1992, when the battalion was on the move to Faizabad.

Singh also made a cameo affect in the 1991 Hindi layer Prahaar: The Final Attack, prima donna Nana Patekar, Madhuri Dixit stream Dimple Kapadia.^[39]

Later career (1994-2001)

In June 1994, Singh was selected erect attend the Higher Command Total at the Army War School, Mhow.

After the ten-month path, he was appointed Colonel Usual Staff (Col GS) of loftiness 12th Infantry Division at Trousers. He spent close to leash years in this appointment go down two division commanders. In 1998, he was promoted acting Brigadier and appointed Commander of glory 168 Infantry Brigade in Arere, Jammu and Kashmir.^[32][41] As Troop drove commander, he had four foot battalions and two Border Custody Force units under his slow lane.

A year into his require, the Kargil War broke monsoon and all units were statute high alert. He was bond command of the brigade dig mid-2000.

In June 2000, Singh was selected to attend the Merged States Army War College crate Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in the In partnership States.^[42] He performed well examination the War College and was graded 'exceptional' in the global.

After the course, he common to India and was prescribed Brigadier General Staff (BGS) nucleus Jalandhar based XI Corps. Without fear served in this appointment at hand Operation Parakram when Indian detachment were mobilised on the boundary in the wake of character 2001 Indian Parliament attack.^[43]

General Copper (2001-2010)

Singh was promoted to high-mindedness rank of major general most important appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) Victor Force - a division-sized formation in the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir.

Justness Victor Force is responsible asset the districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Budgam. Long for his distinguished service as GOC Victor Force, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Embellishment on 26 January 2003.^[43] Back end a one-and-a-half tenure, he took over as the Chief enjoy Staff (COS) of the XV Corps.

As the COS president the officiating Corps Commander, explicit was involved in the consolation operations in the aftermath be the owner of the devastating 2005 Kashmir aptitude, the deadliest earthquake to strike South Asia since the 1935 Quetta earthquake.^[45]

On 15 April 2006, Singh was promoted to high-mindedness rank of Lieutenant General put forward shortly thereafter appointed General Officeholder Commanding II Corps at Ambala.

He was at the directorship of the Strike Corps buy about two years. On 25 February 2008, he was promoted to Army Commander grade cope with appointed General Officer Commanding-in-ChiefEastern Command.^[46] For distinguished service of class highest order, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Ornamentation on 26 January 2009.^[43][47]

Chief female Army Staff (2010-2012)

Singh became prestige 24th chief of Army Stick on 31 March 2010, reprove was the first commando let fall achieve that position.^[7] Towards character end of his career, unadorned dispute regarding his date go along with birth arose; Singh took honourableness Government of India to press one`s suit with and become the first ration officer of the Indian Bevy to do so.^[48] Because female an error made in 1965 when he enrolled with honesty National Defence Academy, official record office misstated the year in which he was born.

Singh withdrew the writ in February 2012 when, according to The Hindu, the Supreme Court of Bharat "refused to intervene". The Undertaking noted there was no enigma regarding his actual date liberation birth and that the incident being contested was the run out in which it had antiquated recorded. It ruled Singh confidential on three occasions accepted magnanimity misrecorded date.^[49][h]

The BBC noted riposte 2012 that defence experts accounted a drive to modernise significance Indian army had suffered get round "a lack of planning lecturer acrimony between the military arm the defence ministry".

This story followed an interview given tough Singh in March 2012 dump caused a political row. According to Singh, over a harvest earlier he had reported resurrect A. K. Antony, the fire at minister, that he had anachronistic offered a bribe of US$2.7 million if the army legionnaire several hundred sub-standard vehicles. Anthony issued a rebuttal to loftiness interview, saying he had want a written report from Singh regarding the incident and become absent-minded this had never been submitted.

Two days after the meeting with Singh, a correspondence halfway V.K. Singh and the First-class MinisterManmohan Singh was leaked. Magnanimity correspondence criticised the standard familiar India's defences and caused in relation to political row.^[50]

Singh retired as Superlative of Army Staff on 31 May 2012.

He was succeeded by General Bikram Singh.^[51][i]

Political career

After his retirement from the heroic, Singh showed support for significance anti-corruption movement.^[52] He was on the stage in Revered 2012 at Ramlila Maidan girder New Delhi, where the yoga instructor Ramdev was fasting make out protest of alleged black insolvency and corruption.

Singh was widespread to have said, "It commission shocking but true that astound two lakh farmers have determined suicide since 1995. The coercion of farmers will have unexpected take the forefront in that movement as the government has turned a blind eye without delay their woes."^[53] Around that patch he also said the anti-corruption movement, whose principal figurehead was Anna Hazare, to that achieve the Bihar Movement that was led by Jayaprakash Narayan notch 1975.

Singh said,

"When Beside oneself evaluate the country's present proviso, it is similar to drift of 1975. Jayaprakash Narayan abstruse then said 'Vacate the vest, common people are coming'. Unquestionable felt then that corruption high opinion the root of all problems ... the situation in the kingdom is the same today."^[54][j]

Singh trip Ramdev led a demonstration carry out 23 December 2012 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on probity 2012 Delhi gang rape case.^[56][57] Singh joined the BJP build 1 March 2014.^[58] He won the Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency) seat in the 2014 Amerind general election, defeating Raj Babbar of the Indian National Get-together by a margin of 567,260 votes.^[59] He was re-elected exterior a landslide during the 2019 Indian general election and sincere not contest 2024 Indian regular election .

Union minister

In Can 2014, Singh was appointed Pastor of State of External Circumstances and Minister of state (independent charge) for North East Locality in the NDA-led Indian government.^[60] He was relieved of subject for the North East Area in November 2014, when Jitendra Singh replaced him.^[61]

Singh is remembered for leading Operation Raahat, spiffy tidy up rescue mission to evacuate Amerindian citizens and other foreign nationals from Yemen during 2015 Arab Crisis.^[62] Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2015 said, “I believe this is the labour time in the world saunter a government minister has not beautiful on the battlefield like regular soldier to do this work ...

I salute General V. Unsophisticated. Singh.”^[63] In May 2019, Singh became Minister of State call Road Transport and Highways prep added to served there till 11 June 2024.^[64]

Electoral history

2019 General Election

2014 Typical Election

Personal life

Singh is married check in Bharti Singh.

Bharti complained capture an occurrence^[when?] of blackmail elitist extortion by a man female Gurugram.^[67] She and Singh enjoy two daughters, Yogja Singh professor Mrinali Singh. Yogja is united to Dr. Anirudh Singh who is the son of Air strike. Gen. Ashok Singh.^[68]

Aside from government career in defence and government policy, his interests are sport,^[specify] chessman riding, and reading.

He has written an autobiography, Courage arm Conviction, covering his career take experience in the Indian Army.^[69]

He has often been embroiled mark out controversy over his comments justification social issues and topics fall foul of national importance. From a kinship with a military background, unwind is open in his verbalization of nationalism.^[70] He faced evaluation over his battle to possess the army's record of emperor date of birth rectified.^[k] Nobleness dispute culminated in a Peerless Court case.

Singh failed be glad about his attempt to have nobility Army's anomalous record of several different birth dates amended up reflect the later date. Rectitude court ruled that the Holy orders of Defence could act put your name down enforce his retirement according discover the earlier 1950 date, landliving that Singh had previously normal to the Army's use help the 1950 date when conj admitting him promotions and awards.

Nobility court did not dispute goodness fact that his actual abundance of birth was in 1951.^[73][74]

Honours and awards

Military awards

During his instigate as the COAS, Singh was appointed honorary Aide-de-camp to high-mindedness President of India.

He served as the Colonel of birth Rajput Regiment and as position honorary Colonel of the Troop drove of Guards, by virtue concede being the Army Chief.^[75] Close the eyes to 11 March 2011, he was inducted into the United States Army War College Class clever 2001 graduates International Fellows Passage of Fame.

He is dignity 33rd International Fellow and significance first officer from the Amerindian Armed Forces to be inducted.^[76] He was inspired by primacy legacy of Sam Manekshaw hoax the 1971 Indo Pak armed conflict when he was a juvenile officer in Army.^[31]

Dates of rank

See also

References

Notes

Citations