Schooling, 1955–64, Sacred Heart Convent School, Amritsar, Punjab.

Graduation, 1964–68, English (Honours), Government College for Women, Amritsar, Punjab.

Best Athlete, won honours in debates, declamations and dramatics. 

Best cadet – National Cadet Corps (NCC) in her college.  Awarded the All Rounder Trophy.

Post Graduation, 1968–70, Masters in Political Science, Department of Political Science,     Punjab University, Chandigarh. 

Recipient of Academic and Sports Scholarships. Conferred Awards in debates and declamations. Headed the Youth Leadership Camp.

 Represented the University in the III Commonwealth Expedition (COMEX III) held at New Delhi in 1971.

Bachelor of Law (LLB), 1988, Delhi University, New Delhi.

Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) , On the subject ‘Drug Abuse and Domestic Violence’ from Department of Social Sciences,                   Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, in the year 1993.

Two Honorary Doctorate :                                                                                                                      

Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar,   (in the year  2003)                            (Contribution in the field of Police Administration)     

CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW AT QUEENS COLLEGE,  THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK  

 (IN THE YEAR 2005),      (Transforming policing)                                              

Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship, 1994–98. Encapsulated the reforms done at one of the world's largest prison, the Tihar Jail, in her book          It's Always Possible.

Lecturer in Political Science, 1970–72,  at Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar, Punjab.