Who is Rajesh Kumar Singh, India's New Defence Secretary?

New Delhi: Senior bureaucrat Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as defence secretary on Friday.

1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre assumed charge at South Block, where ministry is housed.

Before taking charge, Singh laid a wreath and paid hom to fallen heroes at National War Memorial.

He had assumed charge as officer on special duty (defence secretary-designate) on August 20.

" nation will remain forever indebted to our brave soldiers who make supreme sacrifice in service of morland. ir extraordinary bravery and sacrifice is a source of strength and inspiration for us to make India a safe and prosperous nation," he said.

Singh held post of secretary in Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 24, 2023, to August 20, 2024.

Prior to that, he was secretary in Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Singh has held many or important positions in Union government, including director of works and urban transport in Ministry of Urban Development; commissioner (lands) in Delhi Development Authority; joint secretary in Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; joint secretary in Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare; and chief vigilance officer in Food Corporation of India, ministry said in a statement.

He has also held charge as urban development secretary and finance secretary in Kerala government.

Singh succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, who superannuated on Thursday.

(Except for headline, this story has t been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)