Maj Gen Ajay Kumar Singh, AVSM, SM
Senior Directing Staff (Army-I)

Maj Gen Ajay Kumar Singh, AVSM, SM was commissioned into 8 SIKH on 15 Dec 1990. He is a graduate of Fergusson College, Pune. He has done his MSc (Def Studies) from University of Madras (DSSC Wellington), M Phil (Def Studies) from Devi Ahilya Bai Vishwa Vidalaya, Indore and M Phil (Def Strategic Studies) from University of Madras. The Gen Offr is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi.

The Gen Offr has successfully commanded 14 SIKH and later 70 Inf Bde at Kiari in Eastern Ladakh. During his illustrious career, Maj Gen Ajay Kumar Singh, SM has tenanted several prestigious appointments incl GSO-1 (Ops) in MO Dte, Col GS (Ops) in HQ 12 Corps & HQ 2 Mtn Div, Col A(D&V) in HQ Southern Comd, Dy Cdr of 15 Inf Bde and DDG Acqn Tech (Army) at MoD. The Gen Offr has also served in UN Msn (UNIFIL) in 2003. The Gen Offr commanded 5 Mountain Division from 10 May 2022 to 31 Dec 2023.

For his illustrious services, he has been conferred with the award of COAS Commendation Card in 2006, Sena Medal (Distinguished) in 2019 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024.

He is married to Mrs Manjaree Singh, who is an educationist. The couple are blessed with a son, Master Arunit Singh who is a Marine Engineer working in Merchant Navy and daughter Miss Anoushka Singh who has completed her post graduation in International Relations from JNU, Delhi.



Maj Gen Pawanpal Singh, VSM
Senior Directing Staff (Army-II)

Maj Gen Pawanpal Singh, VSM a third generation Army Officer was commissioned into the Indian Army (Armoured Corps) in 1989. The officer has commanded an Infantry Company in Counter Insurgency Operations and along the line of Control in High Altitude Areas, a frontline Tank Regiment and Formations in the Western and Eastern Theatres. He has tenanted General Staff and Operational Logistics assignments in critical billets at the Brigade, Divisional, Command and Service Headquarters levels. The officer has also held instructional appointments both within India and overseas.

The General Officer is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College on a competitive vacancy, the Higher Command Course and the prestigious National Defence College Course, New Delhi. In addition he has also attended the Tank Technology Course and the Comprehensive Crisis Management Course in USA.

A keen sportsman, the officer has participated in Services Tennis and Squash. He is married to Mrs Shivani Singh, a working freelance professional. They have two children. Their daughter Jaanvi, post her MBA degree from XLRI, Jamshedpur is working in the corporate Head Office of ITC Limited. Jaiditya, their son, is pursuing his B Tech in Computer Sciences from BITS, Pilani (India).



Maj Gen Samarth Nagar,
Senior Directing Staff (Army-III)

Maj Gen Samarth Nagar was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in Dec 1990.

In a Military career spanning over 30 years, the Officer has acquired diverse Staff and Command experience. His command tenures include the command of an Armoured Regiment in an (I) Armoured Brigade orbatted to a pivot Corps, an Armoured Brigade in the Armoured Division and a Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division (RAPID) on the Western Front. Important Staff Appointments tenanted by the General Officer are GSO-3 of an Armoured Brigade, GSO-I of a RR Sector, Col GS of a Mountain Division and BGS of a Corps in the Eastern Sector. He has also been posted in the DGPP (now redesignated as DGSP) and DGMT, IHQ of MOD (Army) in the rank of Colonel & Brigadier respectively. He has attended the Advance Armour Course at EAABC, Saumur in France. He has been an Instructor at the School of Armoured Warfare, ACC&S and has served as CMPO/DCOS PET in MONUSCO, DR Congo. The Officer attended the NDC-60 Course at National Defence College, New Delhi.

He is married to Mrs Samidha Singh, an IRAS Officer and they have a daughter Adhishree.



AVM Manish Kumar Gupta, AVSM
Senior Directing Staff
 (Air)

Air Vice Marshal Manish Kumar Gupta is the Senior Directing Staff (Air) at National Defence College with effect from 24 Jul 2023. He earned his commission as a Pilot Officer on 16 Dec 1989 as the officer best in flying in 144 PC. He is a fighter pilot with over 3000 hours, having flown multiple combat aircraft. He has served at Air HQ in directorate of Air Staff Inspection and C4ISR. He has served at HQ Central Air Command, as in charge of Mirage 2000 operations. He has commanded an IACCS node, Fighter Sqn, Air Combat Simulator, a Fighter Wing and a strategic airlift wing. Prior to his present appointment he was the Chief Instructor (Air) at Defence Services Staff College Wellington.



RAdm Sandeep Singh Sandhu, NM
Senior Directing Staff
 (Navy)

Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1991. The Flag Officer is specialised in Navigation and Direction and is a qualified naval diver. He has held a range of command, training and staff appointments, and has served on most classes of ships of the Indian Navy including the aircraft carrier Viraat.

His sea command appointments include IN ships Veer, Nirbhik, Khanjar, and destroyer INS Delhi. As Asst. Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP) & Asst. Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (ACW P&A) at the Naval HQs he was responsible for operationalization of INS Vikrant's air wing and overseeing construction of approx 30 warships. Before joining NDC he was Chief of Staff of Andaman & Nicobar Command the only integrated operational Command of the Indian Armed forces.

The Flag Officer has attended courses at DSSC, Wellington, HDMC at CDM. Secunderabad and the Royal College of Defence Studies. London. His educational qualifications apart from the Masters he has obtained during various training course include MA in Intemational Security & Strategy from Kings College, London.

He was awarded the Nau Sena Medal in 2018.

Adm Sandhu is a good swimmer, plays Basketball & Volleyball and is an occasional golfer. He is married to Jasreena who holds a bachelor's degree in Commerce and Education. They have two sons Gaurav and Rajat.