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Group Captain Varun Singh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

AgeNot Known

BirthplaceKanholi village, Rudrapur tehsil, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh

ProfessionIndian Air Force Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

FamilyFather: K. P. Singh (Colonel, retired); Mother: Uma Singh; Brother: Lieutenant Commander Tanuj Singh; Two children

Group Captain Varun Singh Biography

Group Captain Varun Singh was an officer of the Indian Air Force who served as directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College and as a test pilot on

Early life and background

Varun Singh hailed from Kanholi village in Rudrapur tehsil of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, and grew up in a family with a military background. His father, K. P. Singh, served as a colonel in the Army Air Defence before retirement, and his mother is Uma Singh. He also had a brother, Lieutenant Commander Tanuj Singh, who served in the Indian Navy. Singh attended Army Public School, Chandimandir, Chandigarh.

Career

Singh entered the Defence Services after selection to the National Defence Academy in 2004 and built a career in the Indian Air Force. He held service number 27987 F(P) and rose through the ranks to become a Wing Commander and later a Group Captain. Singh served as directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.

As a test pilot based with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) squadron in Bengaluru, he flew the Tejas fighter and was recognised for his skill and composure during an in-flight emergency on 12 October 2020. During that sortie, his aircraft experienced a sequence of technical failures, including cockpit pressurisation problems and a subsequent flight control system failure that resulted in loss of control at high altitude. Singh responded by identifying the malfunction, initiating a descent, and ultimately regaining control to land the aircraft safely. For his actions on that day, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra, the nation’s third-highest peacetime gallantry medal, which was conferred on 15 August 2021.

In his professional life Singh also served as a liaison officer on official assignments. He was promoted to Wing Commander on 19 June 2017 and later attained the rank of Group Captain.

Personal life and character

Singh was married and a father to a son and a daughter. In a letter to students of his alma mater dated 18 September 2021, he described himself as an average student in school who nevertheless nurtured a lifelong passion for aviation. He attributed his professional conduct and the actions that earned him recognition to the guidance he received from teachers, instructors and peers throughout his schooling, NDA training and service in the Air Force.

Death and circumstances

On 8 December 2021 an Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter en route from Delhi to Sulur crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The aircraft was carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Group Captain Varun Singh and other military personnel. Singh survived the crash but sustained severe burn injuries, reportedly covering around 80–85 percent of his body. He was initially treated at the military hospital in Wellington and later transferred to Bengaluru Military Hospital. He remained on life support and succumbed to his injuries on 15 December 2021.

Public profile

Singh’s actions during the 2020 Tejas emergency and the award of the Shaurya Chakra brought public attention to his professionalism as a test pilot. Following the 2021 helicopter crash, senior officials and political leaders publicly expressed grief over the loss of lives and wished for the recovery of those injured. He was also noted to be the nephew of Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap Singh.

Latest updates

Group Captain Varun Singh’s death was confirmed on 15 December 2021 at Bengaluru Military Hospital. His wife’s name has not been publicly listed in the available information. He leaves behind two children and a family with deep ties to India’s armed services.
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Recent Work

Directing staff, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington

Served as directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.

Test pilot, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron

Test pilot with the Tejas LCA squadron in Bengaluru; handled an in-flight emergency on 12 October 2020 and was later awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

2020
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Career Highlights

  1. Selected to the National Defence Academy in 2004
  2. Served as directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington
  3. Test pilot with the LCA (Tejas) squadron in Bengaluru
  4. Awarded the Shaurya Chakra on 15 August 2021
  5. Promoted to Wing Commander on 19 June 2017 and later to Group Captain
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Group Captain Varun Singh known for?

Indian Air Force Personnel

What is Group Captain Varun Singh’s marital status?

Married