New Delhi: The Central Government has approved a one-year extension in the service of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on October 24, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has extended his tenure beyond October 31, 2026, until October 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The extension has been approved under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.
Who Is Rajesh Kumar Singh?
Rajesh Kumar Singh is a 1989-batch senior IAS officer of the Kerala cadre who assumed charge as Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024. Before taking over the post, he served as Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate) from August 20, 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (B.A. Economics).
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As Defence Secretary, he heads the Department of Defence under the Ministry of Defence. His administrative career has included senior assignments in industrial policy, animal husbandry and dairying, urban development, agriculture and finance.
Key Positions Held by Rajesh Kumar Singh
Before his appointment as Defence Secretary, Singh served in several senior positions in the Central and Kerala governments.
His major assignments include:
- Secretary, Department of Defence: Assumed charge on November 1, 2024.
- Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): Served from April 24, 2023, to August 20, 2024, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Held the position before his DPIIT assignment.
- Finance Secretary, Kerala: Served in the state government’s finance administration.
- Secretary, Urban Development, Kerala: Held a senior role in the state’s urban development administration.
- Other Central Government assignments: Served as Director of Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development, Commissioner (Lands) at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare.
- Chief Vigilance Officer, Food Corporation of India: Also held this position during his career.
Rajesh Kumar Singh’s Role as Defence Secretary
Singh took over as Defence Secretary following the retirement of Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, on October 31, 2024.
The Department of Defence functions under the Ministry of Defence and deals with matters relating to defence policy, the armed forces’ administrative requirements and coordination within the ministry. Singh’s extension will allow him to continue leading the department beyond his originally scheduled tenure, subject to further government orders.
One-Year Extension Approved by the ACC
The ACC approved Singh’s extension beyond his scheduled tenure ending on October 31, 2026. The order, issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on October 24, 2026, specifies that he will continue in the post until October 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The decision extends the tenure of the senior IAS officer for another year in the Ministry of Defence.
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