Chandra Singh, a widely respected public figure in Uttarakhand who served in various capacities in both the Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh governments, passed away on July 9, 2026, at his home in Dehradun. He was 84. A former Secretary in the Uttarakhand Government and a member of the Uttarakhand Lok Seva Aayog, he lived a life marked by simplicity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the most marginalized communities. Despite holding high administrative positions, he lived like a rishi—travelling in private vehicles, owning almost nothing, and walking like any ordinary citizen.
Born on August 15, 1942, in the impoverished village of Kelsu Bhankoli in Tehri district, Chandra Singh often recalled that his actual birth date was January 12, 1943, but it was recorded later so he could be admitted to school. His father, a kathavachak, knew the entire Ramayana by heart, and his mother came from a goldsmith family. His journey from a remote border village to the administrative services remains profoundly inspiring.
Growing up in a marginalized community, he witnessed firsthand the challenges of discrimination, untouchability, and the lack of educational opportunities—issues that continue to affect Dalit communities in Uttarakhand. Throughout his life, he remained vocal about Dalit rights and travelled extensively to remote regions to gather first-hand information on atrocities and discrimination.
His early education was shaped by Sunil Negi, who taught him in the village. Along with two companions, he became one of the first students from his village to complete primary education. After schooling in Ankoli, he completed high school in Kirti Nagar and Intermediate from Rajkiya Pratap Inter College, Tehri, where his classmate was Barfiya Lal Juanta, who later became a minister.
A turning point came when he travelled to Rishikesh to seek admission in DAV College, Dehradun. There he met the renowned environmentalist Sundarlal Bahuguna, who encouraged him to go to Allahabad and even borrowed ₹40 from a nearby shop to help him. With only ₹140 in hand, he set out for Allahabad in 1961. His fees were waived, and he received a scholarship, enabling him to pursue higher education. Initially admitted to MA History, he later shifted to Economics under the guidance of Professor J.K. Mehta. His friendships in Allahabad—across caste lines—shaped his worldview, even as he continued to face untouchability in subtle and overt forms.
After completing his studies, he briefly served as Lecturer in Economics at P.B. Degree College, Pratapgarh, before being selected as Assistant Development Officer in Ballia. In 1967, he entered the Provincial Civil Services and worked tirelessly despite repeated obstacles that prevented him from appearing for IAS examinations. In 1985, he finally received his first IAS posting as Joint Divisional Development Commissioner, Basti.
He served in the Indian Administrative Service from 1986 until his retirement on August 31, 2002—34 years and 15 days of distinguished service. Later, he served two years as a member of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. His administrative insights, tour notes, and recollections remain invaluable for officers and policymakers. He remembered every incident with remarkable clarity and possessed deep understanding of administrative processes.
His career, however, was marked by frequent transfers—38 in 35 years—often as punishment for his honesty and outspokenness. These transfers affected his family life, particularly his children’s education. The 1992 earthquake in Chamoli and Uttarkashi was a painful chapter: posted in Pauri, he could not reach his family, and both his in-laws died in the disaster. His wife, Smt. Lata Singh, performed their last rites and cared for her younger brother. He always spoke of her with deep respect.
In 2001, he became District Magistrate of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, a district crucial for land management. His knowledge of land issues was unparalleled, and people often surrounded him at public events seeking guidance, which he offered patiently and personally.
After retiring as Secretary in 2002, he devoted himself entirely to social service. He first learned about Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1961, and over the years became deeply committed to Ambedkarite thought. At age 75, he earned a law degree and registered as an advocate—an extraordinary testament to his dedication. In recent years, he carried copies of the Constitution to events, urging students and participants to read it.
He supported my work on land rights in the Tarai region, where I fought for landless Dalit villagers for nearly two decades. He understood the challenges of mobilizing support for Dalit issues in Uttarakhand and often joined events we organized in Uttarakhand and Delhi. We travelled together through Sampera bastis in Dehradun, where he credited his wife for raising awareness among the community. He taught me about the various Dalit castes of Uttarakhand and was the first senior officer to raise issues concerning Koltas and Bajgis with complete honesty.
His knowledge of Uttarakhand—its rivers, streams, gads, communities, traditions, and castes—was encyclopedic. His CR reports contain high praise, including Commissioner Subhash Kumar’s remark that he was “the DM of the people” during his tenure in Chamoli.
Even in old age, despite health challenges, he continued to speak for the deprived and remained physically present wherever possible. Uttarakhand could greatly benefit from the administrative wisdom of officers like him.
After retirement, I came to know him more closely. His simplicity, integrity, and commitment to justice deeply influenced me. He proved that socially committed individuals can exist within the governance structure. Though he never entered the Central pool, he belonged to the league of great pro‑people administrators like B.D. Sharma, S. Sankaran, K.B. Saxena, and P.S. Krishnan.
In today’s democracy, public servants often become symbols of power rather than service. Chandra Singh stood apart—an officer who made the administrative system accountable to the people without seeking privilege. That is why people remembered him long after his retirement and continued to place their hopes in him. Chandra Singh is no more, but his life will continue to inspire generations committed to social justice. Rising from a difficult socio‑economic background, he reached great heights without ever compromising his principles. He was a misfit in the world of networking bureaucrats—his strength lay in his connection with ordinary people, which made politicians uncomfortable with his plain speaking and integrity. It is unfortunate that such a towering figure was never honoured by his own state.
His passing is a profound loss for Uttarakhand, especially for its marginalized communities, whose rights he defended throughout his life. My sincere tribute to this great son of Uttarakhand.
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*Human rights defender
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