The Defence Ministry announced the Army Chief-designate on Saturday almost three months ahead of schedule as against the normal practice of 60 days. The move could be seen to remove uncertainty following a rash of speculative reports that Gen. Singh could put in his papers early which could alter succession plan.
It came a day after the current Army Chief told an English news weekly that he was not going to resign. A section of media speculated that Gen. V.K. Singh would resign after the Supreme Court disposed of his petition last month on the year of birth controversy.
Gen. Bikram Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment on March 31, 1972 and during the last four decades, served in a variety of Command and Staff appointments.Besides having commanded a Corps in the Northern Command, he has served as Deputy Force Commander of multi-nation UN Peace Keeping Mission in Congo. He had also served as UN Observer in Nicaragua and El Salvador during early 1990s.
Lt.Gen. Bikram Singh has studied with distinction at the Defence Services Staff College, the Army War College and the US Army War College, Pennsylvania. He also has a M. Phil in Defence Management from Indore University.
He is decorated with Param Vishist Seva Meda, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishist Seva Medal. He is also one of the Honorary ADCs of the President of India. Married to Surjeet Kaur, the couple have two sons.
Keywords: Army Chief, Lt Gen Bikram Singh
