NEW DELHI: G Mohan Kumar, the man who was leading Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector, today took over as the new Defence Secretary succeeding R K Mathur.
Belonging to the 1979 batch of IAS, Odisha Cadre, Kumar is a post-graduate in Chemistry and earned his MBA in the UK. He has worked in various ministries and departments including Steel, Water Resources, Rural Development, Fisheries, Export Development and VAT Administration.
His predecessor Mathur laid down his office yesterday.
Kumar, a Keralite, was the Secretary, Defence Production since September 1, 2014 before taking over as the Defence Secretary.
He was the key man in working out the policies and framework for 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector.
The appointment comes as a birthday gift for Kumar who will turn 60 on May 27. But, instead of retirement, now he will have a two-year tenure.
He is said to enjoy the confidence of both Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Modi.
His tenure will see dawn of a new Defence Procurement Policy.
Meanwhile, Ashok Kumar Gupta (1981- batch Tamilnadu Cadre) who was special secretary in the Department of Defence Production today took over as the new Secretary, (Defence Production) succeeding Kumar.