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{{Short description|Indian Army officer}}
{{for|the footballer|Kamaljit Singh}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant General]]
| name = Kamal Jit Singh
| honorific_suffix = [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]] & [[Medal Bar|Bar]]
| image = Lt_Gen_KJ_Singh.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
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| death_date =
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| allegiance = India

| branch = [[Indian Army]]
| serviceyears = 1977 – 31 July 2016
| rank = [[File:Lieutenant General of the Indian Army.svg|22px]]
[[Lieutenant General]]
| servicenumber = IC-34350Y
| unit = 63 Cavalry
| commands =[[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]<br/>[[XXXIII Corps (India)|XXXIII Corps]]<br/>[[63 Cavalry]]<br/>[[83rd Armoured Regiment (India)|83 Armoured Regiment]]
| battles =
| awards = [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]<br>[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] & [[Medal bar|Bar]]
| spouse = Anita Singh
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}}
[[Lieutenant General]] '''Kamal Jit Singh''', [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal|PVSM]], [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]] & [[Medal bar|Bar]] is a retired [[Indian Army]] officer and former [[general officer commanding]]-in-chief of [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]].<ref name="Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh PromotedWestern Army Commander" /> After retirement, he was conferred with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair of Excellence in Punjab University.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/chandigarh/education/lt-gen-kj-singh-accepts-pu-maharaja-ranjit-singh-chair/281416.html|title=Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair|last=Singh|first=Kamal Jit|date=17 August 2016|work=Tribune}}</ref> and was appointed as Advisor to CM Haryana in November 2018. He graduated from the [[National Defence Academy]],<ref name="Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh PromotedWestern Army Commander">{{cite news|title=Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh PromotedWestern Army Commander|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=106502|accessdate=21 July 2016|work=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref name="Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command">{{cite news|title=Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/lt-gen-kj-singh-takes-charge-western-command-1645043.html|accessdate=19 July 2016|work=First Post|date=1 August 2014}}</ref> and attended various staff courses in training academies of the Indian Army throughout the country. Singh worked closely with UN Peacekeeping forces stationed in [[Angola]] and was commended by the chief and UN Force Commander during his tenure. He held several appointments as commanding officer and also staff appointments at the headquarters of the Indian Army. He has been twice awarded the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]].<ref name=BARTOAVSM group="Note">Bar to [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]].</ref><ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command">{{cite web|title=GOC-in-C Western Command|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=zzpQgSGos0etVAXhC2/aIg==&ParentID=1bZ6wUUiFHfBkKNO2vIH5Q==|website=Indian Army|accessdate=19 July 2016}}</ref> In 2019, Singh was appointed as State Information Commissioner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/state-gets-3-new-info-commissioners/739714.html |title=State gets 3 new info commissioners |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |location=Chandigarh |date=8 March 2019 |accessdate=27 March 2019}}</ref> Inducted into Chandigarh Advisory Council in Aug 2019.{http://chdpr.gov.in/dashboard/?q=node/80506}

==Personal life and education==
Singh graduated from the [[National Defence Academy]], [[Khadakwasla]],<ref name="Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command" /> and was awarded the bronze medal (for academics). He attended various command courses, including the National Defence Course and Higher Command Course, and was awarded the Col. Pyare Lal Medal and Commandant's Medal for his performance. He also attended the Defence Services Staff Course.<ref name=DSSCourseSpec group="Note">Naval Staff Course-on Competitive Vacancy</ref><ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command - DE">{{cite news|title=Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command|url=http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/lt-gen-k-j-singh-takes-goc-c-western-command/|accessdate=19 July 2016|work=Daily Excelsior|date=1 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Lt Gen Kamal Jit Singh PromotedWestern Army Commander" /><ref name="Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command {{!}} City Air News">{{cite news|title=Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command|url=http://www.cityairnews.com/content/lieutenant-general-kj-singh-takes-over-goc-c-western-command|accessdate=19 July 2016|work=www.cityairnews.com}}</ref>

Singh completed his [[Master of Science]] and [[Master of Philosophy]] (M.Phil.) in [[defence studies]] and his Master of Philosophy in [[strategic studies]]. He also qualified for a [[Master of Business Administration]].<ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command - DE"/>

Singh's wife, Anita, coordinated the winning team<ref name=WNTname group="Note">Budha Dal Public School team</ref> of the Global Space Settlement Design Competition held by [[NASA]] and was awarded the [[Government of Punjab, India|Government of Punjab's]] Samman Patra. The couple have two sons, Sahil and Samrat, who both work in the private sector.<ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command {{!}} City Air News" />

==Military career==
Singh was commissioned through the [[Indian Military Academy]] into the [[63 Cavalry]], an [[armoured regiment]] of the Indian Army, on 11 June 1977.<ref name="Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command" /> During his three-decade long career, he has served in several counter-insurgency areas such as [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], and [[Punjab]] and was twice commended by the [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern army commander]] during his service in Nagaland and Manipur. Additionally, he worked with the [[Paramilitary forces of India|paramilitary force]], the [[Assam Rifles]], and the [[United Nations Peacekeeping Forces]] stationed in [[Angola]]. He has also commanded his own regiment, [[63rd Cavalry (India)|63 Cavalry]]; an armoured brigade of [[T-90]]s; an armoured division, and a corps in the [[Northeast India|north-eastern region]].<ref name="Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command" /><ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command - DE" /><ref name="Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command {{!}} City Air News" />

During his time with the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF), Singh served as chief operations officer and team commander. He was commended by the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Indian Army Staff]] and also received the UN Force Commander's citation for his contributions to UNPKF.<ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command - DE" /><ref name="Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command {{!}} City Air News" />

His staff appointments include brigade major of an armoured brigade, assistant military secretary (Policy), military assistant to deputy chief of army staff (COAS), colonel general staff of division involved in counter-insurgency operations, brigadier general staff of a Strike Corps, and additional director general (Perspective Planning) at the headquarters of the Indian Army.<ref name=IHQSpec group="Note">Integrated headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army)</ref> He served as an instructor at the [[MITSD|School of Armoured Warfare]] and also on the Directing Staff at the Higher Command Wing of the [[Army War College, Mhow]].<ref name=Mhow group="Note">Military headquarters of War, generally referred as Mhow.</ref><ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref name="Lt Gen K J Singh takes over as GOC-in-c, Western Command - DE" /><ref name="Lieutenant General KJ Singh, takes over as GOC-in-C Western Command {{!}} City Air News" /> He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Surinder Singh as the GOC-in-C Western Command.<ref name="Lt Gen Surinder Singh to be Western Army Commander">{{cite web|title=Lt Gen Surinder Singh to be Western Army Commander|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/lt-gen-surinder-singh-to-be-western-army-commander/278151.html|website=Tribune India|accessdate=6 November 2016}}</ref>

He was awarded the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] (January 2016) and the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] and Bar by the [[President of India]].<ref name="Lt Gen KJ Singh takes charge of Western Command" /><ref name="GOC-in-C Western Command" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2016/jan/p201612505.pdf|title=LIST OF PERSONNEL BEING CONFERRED GALLANTRY AND DISTINGUISHED AWARDS ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY-2016}}</ref>

== Honours and decorations ==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|[[File:Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]]
|
|-
|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:UNAVEM Medal ribbon.gif|104px]]
|[[File:UNTAG.gif|104px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan="2"|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (Bar)]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
|[[Awards and Decorations of the Indian Armed Forces|Operation Vijay Medal]]
|Operation Parakram Medal
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[UNAVEM III|UN Mission in Angola Medal]]
|[[UNTAG|UN Mission in Namibia Medal]]
|-
|}
Honoured by Punjab Govt on 550th Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak.https://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/govt-honour-for-383-on-parkash-utsav/859144.html

==Controversy==
In May 2016, Singh was allegedly involved in a verbal spat with Lieutenant General R. Ravindran, then [[General Officer Commanding]] (GoC) Delhi Area regarding the functioning of the GoC. Subsequently, Ravindran was transferred to [[Lucknow]]. The Army HQ called it a routine transfer.<ref name="In army, boss is sternly right -IE">{{cite web|author1=Pradip R Sagar|title=In army, boss is sternly right|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/In-army-boss-is-sternly-right/2016/05/22/article3444868.ece|website=Indian Express|accessdate=19 July 2016|date=22 May 2016}}</ref>

==Notes==
'''Footnotes'''
{{reflist|group=Note}}
'''Citations'''
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719075252/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=zzpQgSGos0etVAXhC2/aIg==&ParentID=1bZ6wUUiFHfBkKNO2vIH5Q== |date=July 19, 2016 |title=Lt Gen KJ Singh, AVSM ** GOC-in-C, Western Command }}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[General_officer_commanding#Usage_in_the_Indian_Army|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]
| years = 1 Aug 2014 - 31 Jul 2016
| before = [[Philip Campose]]
| after = [[Surinder Singh (general)|Surinder Singh]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Kamal Jit}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]

Kamal Jit Singh - Revision history

Bot at 10:05, 29 June 2022