Born: 24 November 1964, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 1989 batch, Kerala cadre
Current Position: Defence Secretary of India (since 1 November 2024, 40th in office)
🎓 Education & Early Career
Rajesh Kumar Singh is a 1989-batch IAS officer allotted to the Kerala cadre. His early administrative assignments spanned both state and central government roles, laying a strong foundation for his later service.
🏛️ Administrative Career
Shri Singh has built a diverse and extensive portfolio across multiple ministries and sectors:
- State Government (Kerala): Served as Secretary for Urban Development and Finance Secretary, contributing to the state’s governance and policy formulation.
- Union Government Roles: Held senior positions including:
- Director, Works & Urban Transport, Ministry of Urban Development
- Commissioner (Lands) of the Delhi Development Authority
- Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
- Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare
- Chief Vigilance Officer, Food Corporation of India
- Secretary-Level Appointments:
- Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying
- Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) from April 2023 to August 2024
đź“Ś Defence Secretary
Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, he took charge as Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate) on 20 August 2024 and formally assumed office as Defence Secretary on 1 November 2024, succeeding Giridhar Aramane.
On his first day, he paid tribute to the nation’s fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, reaffirming the government’s commitment to national security.
As Defence Secretary, he leads the Ministry of Defence as its administrative head and principal adviser to the Defence Minister, overseeing defence procurement policy, budgeting, military-civil coordination, and institutional reforms.
🛡️ Strategic Focus & Impact
Since taking charge, Shri Singh has:
- Introduced reforms to streamline the defence procurement process, aiming to reduce timelines significantly.
- Played a strategic role in expanding India’s defence export footprint, with measurable growth in value.
- Focused on modernisation of military capabilities, including support for indigenous systems like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
- Ensured administrative alignment across armed services, production, and R&D departments to enhance operational readiness
đź“ť Summary
Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh is a seasoned bureaucrat with over 35 years of service across state and central domains. His appointment as Defence Secretary positions him at the helm of India’s military-administrative machinery. Combining institutional knowledge with a reform-oriented mindset, he aims to strengthen procurement efficiency, strategic capability, and national security infrastructure.