[citation needed] The future chief had considered becoming a doctor as he was an exceptional student of Zoology and Biology.

"[2] A graduate of the 40th course at the National Defence Academy,[6] Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry on 31 March 1972.

On passing out from IMA, he was awarded J&K Rifles Gold Medal in Leadership and Tactics and the Shrinagesh trophy in firing.

On 18 October 2013, he was awarded ‘The Legion of Merit’ by the United States government for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.

Gen Bikram Singh has served in three UN missions in Nicaragua (ONUCA), El Salvador (ONUSAL) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).

He has held positions of General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, XV Corps, GOC 10th Infantry Division, Commander of Rashtriya Rifles Sector and GOC of the Multi-National Eastern Division in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

[10] Post retirement he has continuously expressed views on strategic Mountain Strike Corps (MSC), with presentations.