Centre extends Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s tenure by one year

The Centre has extended Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s tenure by one year, until October 31, 2027, in a decision announced a week before his existing two-year term was due to end.

Singh, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, took charge as the country’s 40th Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024, succeeding Giridhar Aramane. His service had earlier been extended beyond his scheduled retirement to allow him to serve in the post.

Focus on defence self-reliance and reforms

The extension comes amid the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and push reforms within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Singh has been credited with pushing for faster decision-making within the Defence Ministry and the DRDO, alongside efforts to open conventional missile manufacturing to private-sector participation.

Since May 31, 2026, Singh has also held additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the DRDO.

He was assigned the additional responsibilities after the tenure of Samir V Kamat, who had headed the organisation since August 25, 2022, came to an end. The arrangement was to remain in place until a regular appointment was made or further orders were issued. A permanent DRDO chief had not been appointed as of the report.

Singh’s administrative career

Before taking charge of the Defence Ministry, Singh served as Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade from April 2023 to August 2024. Earlier, he headed the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

His previous assignments also include serving as Secretary for Urban Development and later Finance Secretary in the Kerala government.

The tenure extension places Singh among a small number of Defence Secretaries to have continued in office beyond the usual retirement age. Previous incumbents under the Narendra Modi government have had varying tenures, with some leaving office upon superannuation and others receiving extensions to complete fixed terms.

Singh’s continued tenure comes as the government pursues defence-sector reforms and seeks to expand India’s domestic manufacturing capabilities.