Academics
- Schooling, 1955–64, Sacred Heart Convent School, Amritsar, Punjab.
- Graduation, 1964–68, English (Honours), Government College for Women ( Received Award), 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)
Two Honorary Doctorate :
- 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.
