Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh gets one-year tenure extension until October 2027
The central government has extended Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's term to maintain administrative stability and push forward defence self-reliance.
Centre extends Defence Secretary's term
The central government has extended the tenure of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh by one year, keeping him in office until October 31, 2027. The decision by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet ensures seamless administrative continuity at the helm of national security administration.
Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, assumed charge as India's 40th Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024. His fixed two-year tenure was originally set to end on October 31, 2026, but the latest order guarantees uninterrupted leadership as the Ministry of Defence executes strategic structural reforms.
Driving defence self-reliance and DRDO reforms
The extension reflects the government's strong thrust on self-reliance in the defence sector under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. During his tenure, Singh has been instrumental in accelerating decision-making across the defence establishment and pushing structural reforms within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Under his guidance, the ministry has taken major steps to open conventional missile manufacturing to private industry and streamline procurement pathways for modern military technology. He has also been deeply involved in advancing key national security priorities, including the establishment of integrated theatre commands and the rollout of joint military doctrines.
In addition to his core responsibilities, Singh has held additional charge as secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and chairman of DRDO since May 2026, following the completion of Samir V. Kamat's term.
| Position / Role | Incumbent | Extended Term End | Key Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defence Secretary | Rajesh Kumar Singh | October 31, 2027 | Ministry administration, defence policy, procurement |
| DRDO Chairman (Additional Charge) | Rajesh Kumar Singh | Until further orders | Indigenous R&D, missile systems, technology innovation |
A distinguished record in governance
Before taking charge at the Ministry of Defence, Singh built an extensive record of administrative service across critical economic and infrastructure portfolios. He served as secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) from April 2023 to August 2024, driving domestic industrial policy and foreign direct investment initiatives.
Earlier in his career, he served as secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the Centre, and held key administrative roles in Kerala, including urban development secretary and finance secretary. His extended term provides the national security architecture with seasoned executive governance at a key period of military modernisation.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Tenure End Date | October 31, 2027 | Appointments Committee of the Cabinet order |
| Original Tenure End Date | October 31, 2026 | Appointments Committee of the Cabinet order |
| IAS Cadre & Batch | 1989 batch, Kerala cadre | Official government service record |
| Date Took Charge as Defence Secretary | November 1, 2024 | Ministry of Defence |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Rajesh Kumar Singh | Defence Secretary whose tenure was extended by one year. |
| Ministry of Defence | Central ministry headed administratively by Defence Secretary. |
