Shri Rakesh Singh is a Graduate in Science and a Post Graduate in History from the University of Allahabad. He also holds a Post Graduate Degree in Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Manchester. Before joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1978 he also taught History for about two years in the University of Allahabad.

During his career in the IAS spanning over 32 years, he has the experience of public sector management in the State of Punjab of about 13 years as the Chief Executive. He also has 7 years of experience in finance, having worked for two years as Finance Secretary of Chandigarh and for 5 years in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Apart from a long and rich experience of District Administration in the State of Punjab, Shri Singh has specialised in the fields of Industry Promotion, Housing & Urban Development, Environment and Power Sector.

Shri Singh has been inducted as Government nominee Director on the Board of GIC Re.