https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Son Of An IPS, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Has Top Most Concern For Country’s Security

With a diverse career across key sectors like finance, urban development, petroleum, industrial promotion and fisheries, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has enough experience to ensure enough resources to bolster India’s security.
Indian Masterminds Stories

“The country will forever be indebted to our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the motherland. Their extraordinary courage and selflessness inspire us to work towards making India a safe and prosperous nation.” The powerful words seen to have come straight from the heart of Rajesh Kumar Singh, India’s new Defence Secretary, an IAS officer of the 1989 batch. After all, being son of a Bihar-cadre IPS officer, nationalism was always present in his DNA and manifested in his comments that day.

Before taking charge on November 1, 2024, Mr. Singh paid floral tributes to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, honoring their sacrifice. These words formed part of his tribute only.

Mr Singh hails from Muzaffarpur, Bihar but he has been in the Kerala cadre of the IAS. He has spent a part of his professional life in Delhi, especially last few years since his empanelment as joint secretary and then Secretary to the Union government.

He succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, who superannuated from service on October 31, 2024. Mr. Singh’s story is not just one of administrative excellence but also one of steadfast commitment to the nation, defined by a profound belief in the power of public service and the tireless pursuit of progress.

FITNESS FREAK

Born on November 24, 1964, Mr. Singh’s is a fitness freak. Married to a physician, he regularly plays lawn tennis besides doing brisk walk and jogging. He has two children.

His ascent to becoming the 40th Defence Secretary of India was far from conventional. His career has spanned a range of sectors, each adding to his comprehensive understanding of governance and national development. From his early years in the Kerala government to his impactful tenure in various central government ministries, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex challenges, make decisive and transformative choices, and inspire those around him.

One of the defining moments of Mr. Singh’s career came in August 2024 when he was appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate). This key role entrusted him with overseeing India’s defense strategy during a critical time, placing him at the forefront of evolving security challenges. It consolidated his reputation as a leader to navigate the complexities of modern defence and security affairs.

TRANSFORMATION ACROSS GOVERNMENT SECTORS

Mr. Singh has had experience across multiple sectors, especially finance and urban development. Before his appointment as Defence Secretary, he served as the Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for code to a year and a half. Here he played a pivotal role in driving industrial growth and boosting trade in India. Before they he was posted as Secretary in the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for almost seven months, where he impacted lives of millions of farmers and stakeholders in India’s agriculture sector.

He has made significant contributions to urban development and infrastructure. As the Director of Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development, and later as Commissioner (Lands) at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), he played a key role in shaping India’s urban landscape. His leadership in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas further highlighted his ability to navigate and excel in diverse sectors of governance. This came at a time when India started importing oil from Iran and Russia at a much lower rate than the prevailing international prices. The fact that he had spent almost a year in Petroleum ministry as Joint Secretary in 2013-14 helped him navigating the choppy waters.

He was earlier posted as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at the Food Corporation of India earned him widespread respect for his unwavering commitment to integrity and transparency.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT

What truly sets Mr. Singh apart is his dedication to continuous learning. Having served in critical positions at both the state and central levels – including as Finance Secretary for the Government of Kerala – his holistic approach has consistently prioritized the welfare of citizens. His leadership is marked by pragmatism, innovation, and a sense of responsibility to the country.

DEDICATION TO INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE

As he steps into the role of Defence Secretary, Mr. Singh assumes a critical leadership position at a pivotal moment for India. With rapidly evolving geopolitical challenges and national security at the forefront, his leadership will be instrumental in shaping the nation’s defence policies, ensuring India remains strong and resilient in the face of adversity.

With neighbours like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka facing political instability and China creating disturbance in the borders, Indianeeds to bolster its military infrastructure. That’s where Mr. Singh’s role will be crucial.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS

RASHTRAPARV PLATFORM

Besides, he had working to strengthen Prime Minister Modi’s vision to enhance ease of doing business and good governance. On 25th of Dec, 2024, Mr. Singh launched the Rashtraparv Website along with its Mobile App to mark ‘Good Governance Day.’ The Rashtraparv platform will serve as a one-stop portal for accessing information related to national events such as Republic Day, the Beating Retreat Ceremony, and Independence Day. It offers features such as live streaming, ticket purchasing, seating arrangements, and route maps for various events.

He said, “The website and app, developed by the Ministry of Defence, include a system for managing tableau proposals and storing historic event data.”

ABOUT DEFENSE SECRETARY ROLE

Defence Secretary is the chief administrative officer of the ministry, overseeing all administrative matters related to the Indian Armed Forces. He advices the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister. The DefenceSecretary ensures supply of resources, equipment, and other needs. He is also involved in preparing defence expenditure and the budget, ensuring the effective utilization of resources.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
retirement
Union Government Compulsorily Retires Senior Railway Engineer After UPSC Nod | Date of Birth Discrepancy Sparked Long Legal Battle
REC Limited
Result: REC Declares ₹4.60/Share as 2nd Interim Dividend After Highest-Ever H1 PAT of ₹8,877 Cr in FY26
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVCL)
PESB Recommends Manish Pradhan as Director (Technical) of Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited
CCL Mine Rescue Competition 2025
CCL Hosts 39th Zonal Mine Rescue Competition 2025 Showcasing Excellence in Mine Safety
SJVN_Director_Personnel_inaugurated_
SJVN Unveils ₹36 Lakh Development and Green Initiatives at NJHPS Project Area in Himachal Pradesh
IRAS
Who Is Shalini Darbari, IRAS Officer Appointed as Additional Member (Finance) in Indian Railways Board? | Western Railway’s PFA Elevated
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Ruchi Jat MPPSC
She Worked in Fields, Danced Ghoomar - Now She’ll Govern Districts: Ruchi Jat Cracks MPPSC 2024 with Rank 6, Becomes Deputy Collector
From a farmer's daughter in Pipalkhunta to securing 6th rank in MPPSC 2024, Ruchi Jat's inspiring journey...
VikramDeo Saryam MPPSC
He Couldn't Pay Engineering Fees, Now He’s a Deputy Collector: Meet Vikram Deo, Farmer’s Son Who Cracked MPPSC with Sheer Willpower
Vikram, a farmer’s son from Ramgovindpur, overcame financial hardships and years of setbacks to secure...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bank of India - BOI
Results: Bank of India Q2 Net Profit Up 7.6% to ₹2,554 Crore as Asset Quality Strengthens
IPS Puran Kumar Suicide Case
Postmortem Reveals Ruptured Organs in Haryana IPS Y. Puran Kumar’s Death; Chandigarh Court Orders Laptop Handover to SIT in Ongoing Suicide Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT