India boasts a league of millionaires and billionaires like Mukesh Ambani and Shiv Nadar, each presiding over multi-billion-dollar conglomerates. Among the eminent figures in this realm is Kushal Pal Singh, the wealthiest individual in Gurugram, with a staggering net worth of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore. His journey is a testament to his determination and vision, from earning an engineering degree to serving in the Indian Army.
Kushal Pal Singh's entrepreneurial saga began when he concluded his military service in 1961. He ventured into the world of business by joining DLF Limited, a company initiated by his father-in-law in 1946. Over time, Singh acquired land from local farmers and transformed it into the iconic DLF City, situated in Gurgaon, just outside Delhi.
Today, DLF stands as India's largest publicly traded real estate enterprise, headquartered in Delhi, with Rajiv, Singh's son, at the helm as chairman. In 2022, DLF, in collaboration with GIC, unveiled an opulent residential project in Delhi. After more than five decades of chairing DLF, Kushal Pal Singh stepped down in June 2020, now holding the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus.
But who exactly is Kushal Pal Singh?
Kushal Pal Singh, hailing from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, was born into the illustrious family of lawyer Chaudhary Mukhtar Singh. He pursued a science degree at Meerut College in Uttar Pradesh and later journeyed to the UK to study aeronautical engineering. His path took an unexpected turn when he was chosen by the British Officers Services Selection Board to serve in the Indian Army, where he was appointed to the Deccan Horse in 1951.
However, Singh's ambitions extended beyond the military realm. In 1960, he began working for the American Universal Electric Company, which later merged with DLF Universal Limited in 1979. In a swift ascent, he assumed the role of managing director, succeeding Chaudhary Raghuvender Singh.
Kushal Pal Singh, often referred to as KP Singh, is India's real estate magnate par excellence. In 2008, he made a significant mark by securing the eighth spot on Forbes' list of the world's wealthiest individuals.
KP Singh's Astonishing Wealth
Today, KP Singh, the visionary behind the development of DLF City, commands a staggering net worth of approximately $13 billion, equivalent to Rs. 1.08 lakh crore, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. He is the mastermind behind the construction of a multitude of earthquake-resistant residences, corporate hubs, shopping complexes, and recreational amenities in the thriving city of Gurugram.