Lt general, L Nishikanta Singh was born in 1958 to Laiphrakpam Thakendrajit Singh and Kanon Devi at Khomdram Selungba Leikai Thangmaiband, it stated. He had his Lower primary education at Thingen LP School. Primary Education at Gurukul Jr High School and Tombisana High school, it added. He left Imphal in 1968 for Sainik School Purulia, WB. He topped the school higher secondary exam in 1975 and joined NDA the same year, it further said.

At the age of 20, he got commissioned into the Army and joined the 9th Battalion of JAKLI regiment in 1979. He became the second Lt general for Manipur in September 2015, it added.

The statement further said that he is the third Lt General from northeast since the country's independence. He has completed M. Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He was awarded VSM two times and Commendations Card three times, it said. He is married to Sanjenbam Nandita, he has three daughters, Parveen, Amita and Deepa, it stated.
He led the rescue mission to Afghanistan after the Indian Medical Mission was attacked in February 2010. For this, Major Laishram Jotin was awarded Ashok Chakra (posthumous), it added.