When Rajesh Kumar Singh assumed office as India’s Defence Secretary in November 2024, his first public act was not a meeting or a policy review. Instead, he headed to the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.
“The country will forever be indebted to our brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the motherland,” he said, words that reflected a deep sense of duty and patriotism.
Now, the seasoned bureaucrat has been entrusted with an even bigger responsibility. The Government of India has assigned him the additional charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), following the completion of the tenure of incumbent DRDO chief Samir V. Kamat at the end of May.
A CAREER BUILT ACROSS SECTORS
A 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, Rajesh Kumar Singh brings nearly four decades of administrative experience spanning defence, industry, energy, finance, agriculture, urban development, and governance reforms.
Born on November 24, 1964, in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Singh grew up in a family where public service was deeply valued. His father served as an IPS officer in Bihar, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline and national commitment from an early age.
Though originally from Bihar, Singh built much of his administrative career in Kerala, where he held several important assignments. Over the years, his reputation grew as an officer known for integrity, strategic thinking, and an ability to handle complex policy challenges.
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Before becoming Defence Secretary, Singh served as Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), where he played a significant role in promoting industrial growth and improving the ease of doing business. Earlier, he served as Secretary in the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, contributing to policies affecting millions of farmers and livestock-dependent families.
EXPERIENCE IN FINANCE, ENERGY AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
One of the hallmarks of Singh’s career has been his ability to work across diverse sectors.
As Finance Secretary in the Government of Kerala, he dealt with fiscal management and economic policy. His tenure in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was particularly significant. Having earlier served as Joint Secretary in the ministry, he played an important role during a period when India explored new avenues for securing affordable energy supplies amid fluctuating global markets.
His experience also extends to urban infrastructure. As Director of Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development and later as Commissioner (Lands) at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Singh contributed to key initiatives related to urban planning and public infrastructure.
His tenure as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at the Food Corporation of India earned him recognition for promoting transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity.
LEADING INDIA’S DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT
In August 2024, Singh was appointed Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate), a move that signalled the government’s confidence in his leadership abilities. On November 1, 2024, he formally took charge as India’s 40th Defence Secretary, succeeding Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre.
His appointment came at a time when India was navigating an increasingly complex security environment marked by geopolitical shifts, technological advancements, and growing emphasis on defence modernisation and indigenous capabilities.
With the additional responsibility of heading DRDO, Singh now finds himself at the centre of India’s defence and strategic research ecosystem. The organisation plays a crucial role in developing indigenous defence technologies, strengthening military capabilities, and supporting the government’s vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
A LEADER WITH A LONG-TERM VISION
Known among colleagues as a fitness enthusiast, Singh maintains a disciplined lifestyle. Married to a physician, he enjoys lawn tennis, jogging, and brisk walking. He is also a strong believer in continuous learning and adaptive leadership.
His administrative journey reflects a rare combination of field experience, policy expertise, and institutional leadership. Whether managing state finances, steering industrial policy, strengthening energy security, or shaping defence strategy, Singh has consistently demonstrated an ability to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.
As he assumes the additional charge of DRDO Chairman, Rajesh Kumar Singh enters another significant chapter in a distinguished public service career—one that now places him at the forefront of both India’s defence administration and defence research ecosystem.
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