Rajesh Kumar Singh, a senior bureaucrat and 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, officially took over as India’s new Defence Secretary on Friday. The Ministry of Defence welcomed Singh as he assumed charge at South Block, following a tribute ceremony where he honored India’s fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial.
Singh has a distinguished background, having most recently served as the Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Previously, he held the position of Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Throughout his career, Singh has taken on key roles across various departments, including urban development, petroleum and natural gas, agriculture, and the Food Corporation of India. In Kerala, he has also served as Urban Development Secretary and Finance Secretary.
Upon assuming his new role, Singh expressed his deep respect for India’s military heroes, stating, “The nation will remain forever indebted to our brave soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.” Singh succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, who retired the day prior.
