The 1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as defence secretary at South Block in New Delhi on Friday. He succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, who superannuated from service on October 31 (Thursday).
Singh had assumed the charge of the Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate) on August 20.
Singh was the secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 24, 2023 to August 20, 2024. Before that, he was the secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
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Before taking charge, Singh laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
“The nation will remain forever indebted to our brave soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. Their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice is a source of strength and inspiration for us to make India a safe and prosperous nation,” he said.
Singh has held many other important positions in the Union government as Director, Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development; Commissioner (Lands) - DDA, Joint Secretary - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Joint Secretary - Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and Chief Vigilance Officer – Food Corporation of India.
He was also the finance secretary in the government of Kerala.