New Delhi, October 24, 2026: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension in the service of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. He will continue in the post until October 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. His current tenure was scheduled to end on October 31, 2026.
According to the official communication, the ACC has approved “extension in the service of Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS (KL:89) as Secretary, Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence, for a period of one year beyond 31.10.2026, i.e. up to 31.10.2027 or until further orders whichever is earlier, in relaxation of the provisions of FR 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.”
Rajesh Kumar Singh is a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre. He assumed charge as Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024, succeeding Giridhar Aramane. Prior to taking over, he served as Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate) from August 20, 2024. At the time of his appointment, his service had been extended beyond the normal age of superannuation up to October 31, 2026.
In addition to his responsibilities as Defence Secretary, Singh has held additional charge as Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, since May 31, 2026. He took over these duties following the completion of the tenure of Samir V Kamat. The additional charge was assigned until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders.
Before joining the Ministry of Defence, Singh served as Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, from April 2023 to August 2024. Earlier, he held the post of Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. In the Kerala government, he served as Finance Secretary and Secretary, Urban Development. His other central postings have included roles in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, the Ministry of Urban Development, and as Chief Vigilance Officer of the Food Corporation of India.
The extension provides administrative continuity at a time when the Ministry of Defence is pursuing reforms related to greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing, inter-service coordination, and institutional changes in research and development.
