NEW DELHI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a one-year extension for Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, enabling him to continue in office until October 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
The decision, taken on Saturday, comes a week before Singh was due to complete his two-year fixed tenure on October 31, 2026.
Singh, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, took charge as the 40th Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024, succeeding Giridhar Aramane, who retired on October 31 that year. His appointment had earlier involved an extension of service beyond his normal superannuation date to enable him to serve in the post.
The latest extension comes as the Defence Ministry pursues key reforms, including the proposed creation of integrated theatre commands, efforts to strengthen self-reliance in defence manufacturing and the implementation of key defence doctrines.
Since May 31, 2026, Singh has also been holding additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Before taking over as Defence Secretary, Singh headed the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 2023 to August 2024.
His other assignments in the Union government include serving as Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Director of Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development. He has also held the posts of Urban Development Secretary and Finance Secretary in the Kerala government.
The extension places Singh among a select group of Defence Secretaries under the present government whose tenures have continued beyond the usual retirement timeline or fixed term. Former Defence Secretaries RK Mathur and G Mohan Kumar continued beyond their normal retirement age to complete fixed two-year terms, while Sanjay Mitra received a three-month extension in 2019 beyond his two-year tenure. Other former Defence Secretaries, including Ajay Kumar and Giridhar Aramane, left office upon superannuation.
