Rajesh Kumar Singh Takes Charge As Defence Secretary

Rajesh Kumar Singh, a senior bureaucrat and 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, assumed the role of defence secretary on Friday at the South Block, where the Ministry of Defence is located.

Before assuming his new position, Singh honoured fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He had been serving as the officer on special duty (defence secretary-designate) since 20 August.

“Our nation will always remain indebted to the brave soldiers who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication inspire us to work toward a safe and prosperous India,” Singh stated.

Previously, Singh served as the secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 2023 to August 2024. Before that, he was secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Throughout his career, Singh has held various significant roles in the Union government, including director of works and urban transport in the Ministry of Urban Development, commissioner (lands) in the Delhi Development Authority, joint secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, joint secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, and chief vigilance officer in the Food Corporation of India.

He has also served as urban development secretary and finance secretary in the Kerala government.

Singh replaces Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who retired on Thursday.