♦ Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as Defence Secretary on 1 November 2024. He is a 1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre. He took over from the incumbent Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

♦ Singh was holding the charge of Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 24, 2023 to August 20, 2024. Prior to that, he held the post of Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.