V. K. Singh: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2015}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}

| alt                    = V K Singh

| office2             = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]

| term_start2         = 16 May 2014

| term_end2           =  

| constituency2       = [[Ghaziabad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ghaziabad]]

| predecessor2       = [[Rajnath Singh]]

| majority2          = 501,500 (32.9%)

| successor2         =  

| office3               = [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Minister of State for External Affairs]]

| primeminister3 = [[Narendra Modi]]

| minister3           = [[Sushma Swaraj]]

| termstart3         = 27 May 2014

| termend3           = 30 May 2019

| predecessor3     = [[E. Ahamed]]

| successor3         = [[V. Muraleedharan]]

| office5               = [[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation|Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation (Independent charge)]]

| primeminister5   = [[Narendra Modi]]

| termstart5         = 9 November 2014  

| termend5           = 5 July 2016

| predecessor5     = [[Rao Inderjit Singh]]

| successor5         = [[D. V. Sadananda Gowda]]

| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1951|5|10|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/army-chief-gen-v-k-singh-had-accepted-date-of-birth-as-may-10-1950-defence-ministry/articleshow/9857233.cms|title=Army chief Gen V K Singh had accepted date of birth|website=Economics Times|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

| birth_place        = [[Bapora]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]

[[General (India)|General]] '''Vijay Kumar Singh''', {{small|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]], [[Yudh Seva Medal|YSM]], [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]}} (born 10 May 1951){{Efn|A subset of the official records of the Army misstated the year in which Singh was born (as 1950).<ref name="Sify"/><ref name="1stpost"/>|name=|group=lower-alpha}} is an Indian politician and a former [[Four-star rank|four-star]] General in the [[Indian Army]].{{Efn|V K Singh started his career as a military officer and became the first ever commando (trained to carry out high altitude and counter insurgency operations) in the Indian Army to have been promoted to the General rank.<ref name="india-strategic"/> He was part of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and Operation Pawan.|name=|group=lower-alpha}}  He is the current Minister of State in the [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (India)|Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]] and [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] in the [[Second Modi ministry]].<ref name="ec-times2021">{{cite news |last1=ANI |title=VK Singh takes charge as MoS Civil Aviation |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/vk-singh-takes-charge-as-mos-civil-aviation/amp_articleshow/84262009.cms |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=The Economic Times - m.economictimes.com |date=9 July 2021}}</ref> He previously served as [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Minister of State for External Affairs]], [[Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region|Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of the North-Eastern Region]] and [[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation|Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation]]{{Efn|"Minister of State (Independent Recharge){{clarify|date=July 2021|reason=What does "independent recharge" mean, and can a cit for it be provided?}} for Statistics and Programme Implementation"|name=|group=lower-alpha}} in the [[First Modi ministry]].

During his military career, Singh served as the <!--Please do not change 24th to 23rd without supplying a source and preferably discussing on Talk page-->24th{{Efn|Singh's order in the succession of COAS depends on how the count is made. From the establishment of Indian "home rule", there had been 25 heads of the Indian Army prior to Singh's appointment. The first was designated, "Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army", while the second and 3rd were called "Chief of the Army Staff '''and''' Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army". If counted from the first commander with ''COAS'' included in the position title, Singh would be the 25th COAS; if from the first who was called solely ''COAS'', he would be 23rd in the order; if counted from the very first Head of the army after home rule began, he would be the 26th. (See [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)]].) Most sources describe Singh as the 24th COAS.<ref name="strat">{{cite news |last1=India Strategic |title=Gen V K Singh takes over as Army Chief |url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories556.htm |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=www.indiastrategic.in |issue=Indian Army News |date=March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613024224/http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories556.htm |archive-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>|name=|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name="ia-coas">{{cite web |last=Official Indian Army Web Portal |title=Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) |url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PTC2C.aspx?MnId=KlXwOige5RfLtzzoCqAdnQ%3D%3D&ParentID=03FzZ1bcM4iK4xVqplbx8w%3D%3D&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ%3D%3D |website=www.indianarmy.nic.in |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718121307/https://indianarmy.nic.in/site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PTC2C.aspx?MnId=KlXwOige5RfLtzzoCqAdnQ%3D%3D&ParentID=03FzZ1bcM4iK4xVqplbx8w%3D%3D&flag=8CKP966uzg96kLov0aWdfQ%3D%3D |archive-date=18 July 2021}}</ref> [[Chief of Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] (COAS) from 2010 to 2012.<ref name="TOI-roundup">{{cite news |last1=Staff writers |title=V K Singh: Latest News (topic roundup) |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/v-k-singh |access-date=15 July 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610050120/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/v-k-singh |archive-date=10 June 2021 |language=en |quote=Singh served as the 24th Chief of the Army Staff from 2010 to 2012}}</ref> Singh took the [[Government of India]] to court in a dispute over his date of birth and subsequent retirement, becoming the first serving Indian Chief of the Army Staff to take legal action against the Indian government.<ref name="patrika">{{Cite news|last1=Staff writer|title=Gen VK Singh Biography in Hindi: About family, Political life, Age, Photos, Videos, History |quote=VK Singh retired on 31 May 2012 after contributing for 42 years in the Army. He was the 24th Chief of the Army Staff in the Indian Army |url=https://www.patrika.com/topic/gen-vk-singh/|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Patrika News|language=hi}}</ref>

Singh has written an autobiography called ''[[Courage and Conviction]]''.{{Efn|Singh, V.K.; Verma, Shiv Kunal (2013), ''Courage and Conviction: An Autobiography.'' Aleph Book Company<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/blog/india-is-seeming-ungrateful-writes-general-vk-singhs-daughter-1210310|title=India is Seeming Ungrateful, Writes General VK Singh|website=The Hindu|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>|name=|group=lower-alpha}}

Singh was born on 10th of May 1951 to [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] (later [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]) Jagat Singh, an officer then serving in the 14th battalion The [[Rajput Regiment]] of the Indian Army,{{Efn|V K Singh was born on May 10, 1951 (or, according to some - erroneous - Army records, 1950). While his grandfather was a Junior Commissioned Officer, his father was a colonel in the Indian Army.|name=|group=lower-alpha}} and Krishna Kumari, at the Military Hospital at [[Pune]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Members : Lok Sabha |url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=4598 |website=164.100.47.194}}</ref>{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013|p=17}} He was born into the [[Tomar/Tanwar clan]] of Rajput,{{Sfn|Singh|Verma|p=1|2013}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar|first=Anuj |date=2019-03-29 |title=General V.K. Singh fights a divided Opposition in U.P.'s Ghaziabad |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/general-vk-singh-fights-a-divided-opposition-in-ups-ghaziabad/article26680967.ece |access-date=2020-08-29 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{Efn|Pride, tradition and the shortage of other local work opportunities continue to send Bapora’s [[Rajputs]] year after year to the Army’s recruitment camps (called bharti, enrollment) in neighbouring towns or states. Many who are enrolled enter the [[Rajput Regiment]], as did Gen. Singh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-general-s-village-112050500035_1.html|title=The General's village |website=Business Standard News|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>|name=|group=lower-alpha}} with roots in the [[Bapora]] village in the [[Bhiwani district]] of [[Haryana]]. His paternal grandfather, [[Daffadar]] Mukhram Singh, served with the [[3rd Cavalry (India)|3rd Cavalry]]. All five brothers of his father served in the Army, either joining the [[1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)]] or the 7th Rajput Regiment.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013|p=15}} His maternal grandfather, [[Subedar]] Shimbu Singh, also served in the Army and hailed from the Bohra Kalan village in the [[Gurgaon district]].{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013|p=17}} His village had been founded by the [[Rajput]] rulers and frequently involved in fighting with the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] and has produced many warriors. He was inspired by men who served the Army from the [[British Raj|British times]].{{Sfn|Singh|2005|p=6-11}} {{Quote box

}}

=== Early Commissioning (1970-1978) ===

In late 1975, Singh was one of two officers selected to attend the [[United States Army]] [[Ranger School]] at [[Fort Benning]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in the [[United States]]. The Ranger course is 62 days long and is aimed at small unit tactics and leadership. During this course, he was assigned to Whisky company of the [[75th Ranger Regiment]]. He performed well in the physically-extracting course, which started with over 300 students and ended with only about 90 graduating. He was graded an honours graduate since he had graded more than 80%. {{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013|p=94-101}} Since he was a graduate of the Ranger School, he was permitted to wear the coveted [[Tabs of the United States Army#Ranger|Ranger tab]] on his uniform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/uniform/docs/r670_1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206073853/http://www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/uniform/docs/r670_1.pdf|url-status=dead|title=AR 670-1|archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref>

After completing the course, he returned to India and was posted to the Commando School at [[Belgaum]].<ref name=saisam10>{{cite news|title=Change of Guard - General VK Singh new COAS|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/apr16-10/h1.htm|access-date=2014-06-15|publisher=Sainik Samachar|date=10 April 2010}}</ref> After a year at the school, he moved back to his battalion in [[Secunderabad]] but was immediately selected to attend the Junior Command course at the College of Combat in Mhow. He finished the course and joined his battalion and was given command of a [[company (military unit)|company]]. Two months later, he was selected to attend the winter warfare advanced course at the [[High Altitude Warfare School]] at Gulmarg.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}}

In April 1978, Singh came back to his battalion which was to move to [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]] for its operational tenure along the [[Line of Control]]. He commanded the 'A' company of the battalion during this tenure. Later that year, he was posted to the [[Indian Military Training Team]] (IMTRAT) in Bhutan. He served as an instructor at IMTRAT for about two years. After his return from Bhutan, he was transferred to a new unit, the 25th battalion of the Rajput Regiment (25 Rajput) at [[Fatehgarh]]. He was given command of the Delta company of the battalion.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}}

The battalion then moved to [[Alwar]] where Singh served as a company commander. In March 1982, he was selected to attend the [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]], having secured a competitive vacancy.<ref>{{cite web |title=SELECTION FOR THE 39th DEFENCE SERVICES STAFF COLLEGE COURSE |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1982-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE/PDF/DEF-1982-03-31_154.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=31 March 1982}}</ref> After completing the year-long course, he was posted as General Staff Officer 2 (GSO-2) in the Military Operations (MO) Directorate at Army headquarters. His tenure at the MO directorate was an eventful one. He had a ring-side view during [[Operation Meghdoot]] in early 1984, [[Operation Blue Star]] later that year, [[Operation Brasstacks]] in late 1986 and the [[1987 Sino-Indian skirmish]] in the [[Sumdorong Chu Valley]].{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}}

In mid-1987, he joined his battalion as a company commander. In July, as part of the 76 Infantry Brigade, the battalion moved to [[Chennai]] and embarked for [[Sri Lanka]] on the [[Tank Landing Ship]] {{ship|INS|Magar|L20}}. Inducted as part of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]], they landed at [[Trincomalee]]. He spent the next two years in Sri Lanka fighting the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE). In mid-1988, he was promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant Colonel]] and was appointed [[second-in-command]] of the battalion.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}} On 26 January 1990, he was awarded the [[Yudh Seva Medal]] for leading an operation which eliminated 6 LTTE men.<ref>{{cite web |title=GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL |url=http://pibarchive.nic.in/archive/ArchiveSecondPhase/DEFENCE/1990-JAN-JUNE-MIN-OF-DEFENCE-VOL-I/PDF/DEF-1990-01-24_031.pdf |website=pibarchive.nic.in |date=24 January 1990}}</ref>

In late 1989, Singh was approved to be promoted to the rank of [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]] and cleared to command a battalion. In early 1990, the battalion embarked for [[Mumbai]]. Shortly thereafter, Singh was appointed Chief Instructor of the Commando School at Belgaum, where he had earlier served as an instructor.<ref name=dyk2012>{{cite news|title=Did you know: Gen VK Singh is a small time movie star!|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/did-you-know-gen-vk-singh-is-a-small-time-movie-star-190673.html|access-date=2014-06-15|publisher=First Post|date=23 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=When the army chief did a cameo in Bollywood|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/When+the+army+chief+did+a+cameo+in+Bollywood/1/91040.html|access-date=2014-06-15|publisher=India Today|date=3 April 2010}}</ref> He was earmarked by the [[Colonel#Colonel of the Regiment|Colonel of the Regiment]] to take over command of 24 Rajput, but Singh was determined to get back to his old battalion (2 Rajput) or take over the battalion he served with in Sri Lanka (25 Rajput). After a few months, he was appointed [[Commanding Officer]] of 2 Rajput.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}} The battalion was in [[Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir]] along the Line of Control. It was a part of the 80 Brigade under the [[25th Infantry Division (India)|25th Infantry Division]]. He commanded the battalion for about two years in Nowshera, before taking the unit to its peace location in [[Faizabad]]. The tenure started off in a tense environment - the [[Demolition of the Babri Masjid]] in December 1992, when the battalion was on the move to Faizabad.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}}

In June 1994, Singh was selected to attend the Higher Command Course at the [[Army War College, Mhow]]. After the ten-month course, he was appointed Colonel General Staff (Col GS) of the [[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]] at [[Jodhpur]]. He spent close to three years in this appointment under two division commanders.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}} In 1998, he was promoted acting [[Brigadier]] and appointed Commander of the 168 Infantry Brigade in [[Samba, Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name=saisam10/><ref name=is10>{{cite news|title=Gen V K Singh takes over as Army Chief|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories556.htm|access-date=2014-06-15|publisher=India Strategic|date=31 March 2010}}</ref> As Brigade commander, he had four infantry battalions and two [[Border Security Force]] units under his command. A year into his command, the [[Kargil War]] broke out and all units were on high alert. He was in command of the brigade till mid-2000.{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013}}

Singh was promoted to the rank of [[Major General]] and appointed [[General Officer Commanding]] (GOC) Victor Force - a division-sized formation in the [[Rashtriya Rifles]] in Jammu and Kashmir. The Victor Force is responsible for the districts of [[Anantnag district|Anantnag]], [[Pulwama district|Pulwama]], [[Shopian district|Shopian]], [[Kulgam district|Kulgam]] and [[Budgam district|Budgam]]. For his distinguished service as GOC Victor Force, he was awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2003.<ref name="Hindu-new-chief">{{cite news |last1=Special Correspondent |title=Gen. V.K. Singh is new Chief of the Army Staff |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Gen.-V.K.-Singh-is-new-Chief-of-the-Army-Staff/article16327357.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=12 October 2020 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After a one-and-a-half tenure, he took over as the Chief of Staff (COS) of the [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]].{{sfn|Singh|Verma|2013|p=251-256}} As the COS and the officiating Corps Commander, he was involved in the relief operations in the aftermath of the devastating [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]], the [[Lists of earthquakes#Deadliest earthquakes|deadliest earthquake]] to hit [[South Asia]] since the [[1935 Quetta earthquake]].<ref name="Dawn_Quetta_2005">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/25/fea.htm|title=The great Quetta tragedy|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|DAWN Newspaper]]|date=25 October 2008}}</ref>

On 15 April 2006, Singh was promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant General]] and shortly thereafter appointed General Officer Commanding [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]] at [[Ambala]]. He was at the helm of the Strike Corps for about two years. On 25 February 2008, he was promoted to Army Commander grade and appointed [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Senior Appointments: Army |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=35568 |website=pib.gov.in |date=25 February 2008}}</ref> For distinguished service of the highest order, he was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] on 26 January 2009.<ref name="Hindu-new-chief"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence Decorations |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=46977 |website=pib.gov.in |date=25 January 2009}}</ref>

Singh became the 24th Chief of Army Staff on 31 March 2010, and was the first commando to achieve that position.<ref name="india-strategic">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories556.htm|title=Gen V K Singh takes over as Army Chief|date=March 2010|website=India Strategic|access-date=2014-05-27}}</ref> Towards the end of his career, a dispute regarding his date of birth arose; Singh took the Government of India to court and become the first serving officer of the Indian Army to do so.<ref name=NDTV20120326>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/army-chief-discloses-offer-of-rs-14-crore-bribe-cbi-inquiry-ordered-189957|access-date=2012-03-26 |title=Details of who allegedly offered Rs. 14-crore bribe to Army chief |first=Nitin A.|last=Gokhale|work=NDTV|date=26 March 2012}}</ref> Because of an error made in 1965 when he enrolled with the National Defence Academy, official records misstated the year in which he was born. Singh withdrew the writ in February 2012 when, according to ''[[The Hindu]]'', the [[Supreme Court of India]] "refused to intervene". The Court noted there was no dispute regarding his actual date of birth and that the matter being contested was the way in which it had been recorded. It ruled Singh had on three occasions accepted the misrecorded date.<ref name="The Hindu 20120210">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2878671.ece |title=Army Chief loses age war |work=The Hindu|date=10 February 2012|access-date=2012-02-11 |first=J. |last=Venkatesan}}</ref>{{Efn|Singh was the 24th Indian Army Chief and the only one to date to take a dispute with the Union Government to court, in the case of his date of birth issue.<ref name="patrika"/>|name=|group=lower-alpha}}

Singh retired as Chief of Army Staff on 31 May 2012. He was succeeded by General [[Bikram Singh (soldier)|Bikram Singh]].<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3474071.ece |title = Gen. V.K. Singh to retire today|work==The Hindu|date=31 May 2012 |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref>{{Efn|68-year-old Gen VK Singh Singh retired as Army chief in 2012 after a long drawn-out battle with [[Raj Babbar]] of [[Indian National Congress]] in [[Gaziabad]].|name=|group=lower-alpha}}

After his retirement from the military, Singh showed support for the [[2012 Indian anti-corruption movement|anti-corruption movement]].<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3723926.ece|title=V.K. Singh: throw the corrupt out of power |date= 4 August 2012}}</ref> He was seen on the stage in August 2012 at [[Ramlila Maidan]] in [[New Delhi]], where the yoga instructor [[Ramdev]] was fasting in protest of alleged black money and corruption. Singh was reported to have said, "It is shocking but true that over two lakh farmers have committed suicide since 1995. The problems of farmers will have to take the forefront in this movement as the government has turned a blind eye to their woes."<ref>{{cite news |first=Mohammad |last=Ali |title=Ramdev takes on Congress, warns of march to Parliament |work=The Hindu |date=13 August 2014 |url =http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ramdev-takes-on-congress-warns-of-march-to-parliament/article3757648.ece}}</ref> Around that time he also said the anti-corruption movement, whose principal figurehead was [[Anna Hazare]], to that of the [[Bihar Movement]] that was led by [[Jayaprakash Narayan]] in 1975. Singh said, "When I evaluate the country's present condition, it is similar to that of 1975. Jayaprakash Narayan had then said 'Vacate the throne, common people are coming'. He felt then that corruption is the root of all problems&nbsp;... the situation in the country is the same today."<ref>{{cite news |agency=ANI |title =VK Singh now battles with Baba Ramdev |work=Zee News |date=12 August 2012|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vk-singh-now-battles-with-baba-ramdev_793178.html}}</ref>{{Efn|After retiring from his position as Chief of Army Staff, Singh became a member of the BJP. He also actively participated in the anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare in New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan. V K Singh once compared Anna’s movement with the 1975 Bihar Movement of Jayaprakash Narayan. On the issue of Nirbhaya gang rape case of 2012, which shook the conscience of the country, Singh was among the leading agitators against the crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.in/political-leaders/general-vijay-kumar-singh.html|title=General Vijay Kumar Singh Biography|website=Elections.in|access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>|name=|group=}}

Singh is praised for leading [[Operation Raahat]], a rescue mission to evacuate Indian citizens and other foreign nationals from [[Yemen]] during 2015 [[Yemeni Crisis (2011–present)|Yemeni Crisis]].<ref name=hindu-evac>{{cite news|title=India begins evacuating citizens|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-begins-evacuating-citizens/article7054994.ece|work=The Hindu|date=31 March 2015|access-date=2015-03-31}}</ref> Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2015 said, “I believe this is the first time in the world that a government minister has stood on the battlefield like a soldier to do this work&nbsp;... I salute General V. K. Singh.”<ref>{{cite news|title=Presstitutes remark row: PM Narendra Modi says media ignoring V K Singh's good work in Yemen|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/pm-salutes-vk-singh-slams-media-for-ignoring-good-work/|access-date=2015-04-20|publisher=Indian Express|date=19 April 2015}}</ref> In May 2019, Singh became Minister of State for [[Ministry of Road Transport and Highways|Road Transport and Highways]].<ref>{{citation |title=PM Modi allocates portfolios. Full list of new ministers |url=https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/pm-modi-allocates-portfolios-full-list-of-new-ministers-1559288502067.html |work=[[Live Mint]] |date=31 May 2019 }}</ref>

Singh is married to Bharti Singh. Bharti complained of an occurrence{{when|date=May 2021}} of blackmail and extortion by a man of [[Gurugram]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minister VK Singh's Wife Says She Was Secretly Taped, Is Being Blackmailed|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/union-minister-vk-singhs-wife-allegedly-being-blackmailed-1445122|access-date=2020-10-12|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> She and Singh have two daughters, Yojna Singh and Mrinali Singh. Yojna is married to Dr. Anirudh Singh who is the son of Lt. Gen. Ashok Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Unnithan |first1=Sandeep  |location=New Delhi |date=19 April 2013 |title=Exclusive: VK Singh invites AK Antony, Army chief and defence secy for daughter's marriage -- UPDATED: August 21, 2013 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/former-army-chief-general-v.k.-singh-daughter-marriage-159277-2013-04-19 |access-date=2020-10-12 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>  

He has often been embroiled in controversy over his comments on social issues and topics of national importance. From a family with a [[military]] background, he is open in his expression of [[nationalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=We have called the Chinese bluff: Gen VK Singh (Retd) | work= Garhwal Post |url=https://garhwalpost.in/we-have-called-the-chinese-bluff-gen-vk-singh-retd/|access-date=2020-10-12|language=en-US}}</ref> He faced criticism over his battle to have the army's record of his date of birth rectified.{{Efn|A variety of sources took a range of positions (not all critical) on Singh's fight with the Ministry of Defence over his date of birth.<ref name="Sify">{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=RSN |title=Age controversy: Is Gen VK Singh paying the price for being honest? |url=https://www.sify.com/news/age-controversy--is-gen-vk-singh-paying-the-price-for-being-honest-imagegallery-features-lhvwbGejihfsi.html |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=Sify.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="BSN">{{cite news |last1=Press Trust of India |title=General VK Singh's DoB to be corrected |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/general-vk-singh-s-dob-to-be-corrected-112012900073_1.html |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=Business Standard News - India |orig-date=20 January 2013 |date=29 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="BBC2012">{{cite news |title=Row over India army chief VK Singh's age 'unfortunate' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-16607016 |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=BBC News |date=2012-01-18}}</ref><ref name="1stpost">{{cite news |title=Why Gen VK Singh's D.O.B is not just a 'personal' matter |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/why-gen-vk-singhs-d-o-b-is-not-just-a-personal-matter-195673.html |issue=India News |access-date=22 May 2021 |work=Firstpost |date=2012-01-27 |quote=The case arose from a difference in the records of the Military Secretary’s Branch and the Adjutant General’s (AG’s) Branch of the army. The latter is the usual record-keeper.  In Gen Singh’s case, the ministry of defence decided that it will go by the Military Secretary’s records – when common sense should have told it to do otherwise. In fact, the MoD has done so in at least one earlier case.}}</ref>|name=|group=}} The dispute culminated in a [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] case. Singh failed in his attempt to have the Army's anomalous record of two different birth dates amended to reflect the later date. The court ruled that the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] could act to enforce his retirement according to the earlier 1950 date, given that Singh had previously agreed to the Army's use of the 1950 date when granting him promotions and awards. The court did not dispute the fact that his actual date of birth was in 1951.<ref>{{Cite web|last=TRIPATHI|first=PURNIMA S.|title=Age of controversy|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/article30164500.ece|access-date=2020-10-12|website=Frontline|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Venkatesan|first=J.|date=2012-02-10|title=Army Chief loses age war|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-chief-loses-age-war/article2878671.ece|access-date=2020-10-12|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

During his service as the COAS, Singh was appointed honorary [[Aide-de-camp]] to the [[President of India]]. He served as the Colonel of the [[Rajput Regiment]] and as the honorary Colonel of the [[Brigade of Guards]], by virtue of being the Army Chief.<ref name="brigade">{{cite web |last1=Thapar |first1=R. (Lt Col) |title=Brigade of the Guards: A glorious tradition |url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/aug16-10/h3.htm |website=www.sainiksamachar.nic.in |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222191855/http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2010/aug16-10/h3.htm |archive-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> On 11 March 2011, he was inducted into the United States Army War College Class of 2001 graduates [[United States Army War College International Fellows Hall of Fame|International Fellows Hall of Fame]]. He is the 33rd International Fellow and the first officer from the [[Indian Armed Forces]] to be inducted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-TOP-vk-singh-the-veteran-of-wars-who-lost-the-age-battle-2846615.html?LHS- |title=V. K. Singh: the veteran of wars who lost the age battle|access-date=2012-03-26|work=Daily Bhaskar|date=26 March 2012}}</ref> He was inspired by the legacy of [[Sam Manekshaw]] in the [[1971 Indo Pak war]] when he was a junior officer in Army.<ref name="Mishra"/>

{{s-ttl| title = [[General Officer Commanding]] [[Rashtriya_Rifles#Organisation|Victor Force]]| years = 2004-2005}}

{{s-ttl| title = [[General Officer Commanding]] [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]| years = 2006-2008}}

{{s-ttl| title = [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command]]| years = 2008-2010}}

{{s-ttl| title = [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]]| years = 2010-2012}}

{{s-ttl| title = [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of State for External Affairs]]| years = 2014-2019}}

| years = 10 November 2014 – 5 July 2016}}

[[Category:16th Lok Sabha members]]

[[Category:17th Lok Sabha members]]