[5] Penpa Tsering was born in a refugee camp in Bylakuppe in the Indian state of Karnataka in 1967.

[6] After topping his schooling, he graduated with Honours degree in economics from Madras Christian College.

[8] Penpa was elected to the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for two terms from 1996 and 2006.

[17][18] Penpa has spoken about "resolving the issue of Tibet", "taking care of the welfare of Tibetans in exile",[19] pursuing "all possible ways to communicate with China,"[20] "facilitat(ing) a visit of the Dalai Lama to China,"[21] and advocating for the release of "Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and all other political prisoners".

[22][23] Penpa was sworn in as Sikyong on 27 May 2021 in the presence of the Dalai Lama who attended virtually.