Service No : 06262-F

Date of Birth : January 18, 1986

Place of birth : Visakhapatnam, AP

Last Rank : Commander

Unit : INS Vikramaditya

Arm/Regt : Indian Navy

Awards : Nao Sena Medal

Martyrdom : November 26, 2020

Commander Nishant Singh NM

Commander Nishant Singh was born on 18 Jan 1986 at Naval Hospital INHS Kalyani in Vishakhapatnam. Son of a Naval officer Cdr Yash Vir Singh (Retd) and Smt Promila Singh, he grew up in various Naval bases, imbibing the culture and ethos of Indian Navy. Cdr Nishant aspired to follow in the footsteps of his father and don Naval uniform since his younger days. He studied at Navy Children Schools in Goa and Vishakhapatnam, where the foundation of his future Naval career was laid. His dream came true when he got commissioned into the Executive branch of the Indian Navy on 01 July 2008 at the age of 22 years.

 

Subsequently he joined Naval Aviation and got trained as a fighter pilot. He soon developed into an ace pilot and became a qualified flying instructor adept on Kiran, Hawk and Mig-29K aircraft. He also had the distinction of earning the 'Wings of Gold' after advance strike training with the US Navy, in December 2011. By the year 2020, he had been promoted to the rank of Commander and had served in various Naval bases in over 12 yeas of service. Besides being one of its most accomplished aviators, Cdr Nishant was also a qualified mountaineer as well as a skilled yachtsman. In May 2020, while seeking permission from his Commanding Officer to get married to Ms Nayaab Randhawa, Cdr Nishant's humor-laden letter titled “Permission to bite the bullet” had caught the imagination of many in social media.  

 

MiG 29K Crash: 26 Nov 2020

 

During Nov 2020, Cdr Nishant was serving with at INS Hansa the Naval base at Goa. He was serving with the Indian Navy’s famed “Black Panther” squadron flying MiG-29K aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The Naval fighter pilots like Cdr Nishant managed the additional complexity of landing their machines on a moving aircraft carrier deck by snagging the “tailhook” to arresting high-tensile wires, after having approached the deck at exactly the right angle. All strategizing and coordination had to happen in a matter of seconds and demanded a very high order of flying skills. Being an accomplished flying instructor, Cdr Nishant would often fly with young pilots in a trainer aircraft to give them experience on various air operations.

 

Cdr Nishant was flying one such mission on 26 Nov 2020 in a two seater MiG-29K along with a young pilot. Soon after getting airborne at about 1627 hours on 26 Nov from INS Vikramaditya off Goa coast post international exercise 'Malabar 2020' with the US Navy, his MiG-29K encountered an abrupt and uncontrolled nose-down movement. After retracting the undercarriage, the attitude aggravated to further nose down. Despite Cdr Nishant's resilient attempt to counter the same with stick-back movement, the aircraft continued to pitch down rapidly with a rate of descent of almost 15000 feet/minute at extremely low altitudes close to water.  As a result Cdr Nishant and his trainee pilot were experiencing negative gravity conditions due to the rapid pitch-down of the aircraft.  With remote chances of any further recovery, Cdr Nishant took the extreme step of selfless sacrifice to save his trainee pilot, despite being fully aware of his impending death. The Indian Navy launched massive search operations, deploying nine warships, 14 aircraft and fast interceptor craft. The young pilot was rescued but Cdr Nishant could not be saved and his body was recovered 11 days after the mishap on 07 December in the Arabian Sea, 70 metres below water and 30 miles off the Goa coast. Cdr Nishant Singh was a gallant soldier and committed Naval fighter pilot, who laid down his life in the line of his duty. 

 

Cdr Nishant Singh was awarded "Nao Sena Medal" (Gallantry) posthumously for his dauntless courage and selfless actions in dire circumstances. Cdr Nishant Singh is survived by his father Cdr Yash Vir Singh (Retd), mother Smt Promila Singh and wife Smt Nayaab Randhawa. 

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95 Comments
  • Kushal Mehrotra

    2021 at 9:34 am Reply

    Greetings Sir/Ma’am,

    This letter might not replace the sacrifices your brave son has made for the country, but probably might help you realize that you are not the only one proud of them.
    I just want to Thank you with the utmost Gratitude. He is the perfect example for the youth of being selfless, devoted and courageous..
    I being a proud and a safe citizen, whole-heartedly would like to thank all the brave soldiers for being who they are and for choosing the country before everything.

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:29 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Kind words and Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Ananya Aggarwal

    2021 at 5:01 pm Reply

    Commander Nishant Singh’s story of courage is heartwarming and inspiring. Words can never do justice to the respect and pride we have not just for the officers but their families. It has been my honor to be able to read and get a glimpse of Commander Nishant Singh’s story. I wish his family and loved ones power and strength always. Thank you for choosing to keep us and the nation first. May everyone take inspiration from your acts of bravery.

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:30 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Abhishek Agarwal

    2021 at 6:36 pm Reply

    Dear Commander Nishant Singh,

    Your Selfless Valor and courage paves the way and inspires crores of Indian youth to increase their horizons, to take risks and become the best of the best. Your parents must be proud of you when they hear your name associated with the mighty Indian Navy. Jai Hind

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:31 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Jui Jayant Kulkarni

    2021 at 3:04 pm Reply

    Dear Family of Commander Nishant Singh,

    I wish to express gratitude from the bottom my heart to the late Mr. Nishant SIngh who has become an inspiration for the whole country. I am equally thankful to the parents for raising such a brave son and wish to share the grief with Smt. Nayaab Randhawa. India will always be indebted for your sacrifice.

    We salute you all.

    Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:32 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for yourKind words and Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Mamta Aditya

    2021 at 7:04 pm Reply

    A big salute to you our brave solder for willing to protect our country and its people and enrol in the armed forces. Thankful to you and hope and pray for strength for your family to overcome the grief.

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:33 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Sarvesh Kumar Tiwari

    2021 at 9:28 am Reply

    Dear Sir,

    We are blessed and so proud of you . It’s the sheer will and power of people like you that keeps our country strong. We are thankful to the Indian Navy for producing such a strong officer. The forces stand tall and protect us while we sleep peacefully.

    Jai Hind

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:33 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • SS

    2021 at 11:05 pm Reply

    THANK YOU HERO ……may you have great life in your next birth and may you and your dear and near ones have a lovely reunion in next birth ……till then keep exploring the infinity of ocean. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID…..THANK YOU FOR SAFEGAURDING THE FRAGRANCE OF INDIA’S HOLY SOIL …..THANK YOU FOR WHAT NOT…………EVEN THE WORD HERO SOUNDS SHORT IN FRONT OF THE SACRIFICE YOU MADE ……….THANK YOU

    • YASH VIR SINGH

      2023 at 12:36 pm

      JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • YASH VIR SINGH

    2023 at 12:27 pm Reply

    JAI HIND and Thank you for your Comments for my Son. I am Commander Yash Vir Singh (Retd), Father of the Brave-heart Commander Nishant Singh.

  • Vinay Kohli

    2023 at 3:21 pm Reply

    Cdr Yash Vir Singh, your tribute to Commander Nishant Singh is deeply moving. His transformation from a shy child to a courageous Naval Officer and Fighter Pilot is incredibly inspiring. His selflessness in his final moments leaves a lasting legacy of honor and sacrifice. It’s likely that Commander Nishant graced the earth to inspire us with his leadership, courage, and unwavering spirit.
    The loss of such a remarkable individual is undoubtedly immense, and my deepest condolences go out to you, his wife, and your family. The legacy of Commander Nishant Singh’s service and sacrifice will continue to inspire and uplift all those who hear his story.

    Jai Hind!!

  • Giridharan K

    2023 at 4:31 am Reply

    Jai Hind, I am at a loss of word to mention anything about the supreme sacrifice made by your family. Very inspiring for all of us as your classmates, friends. It’s still fresh in our heart, when you joined us at Rishikesh on his first anniversary. May God bless you you all great souls

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