DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh: The Central Government has given Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh the extra charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved this move. He will start this new charge from 31 May 2026 and will keep working as India’s Defence Secretary at the same time.
This means one senior officer will now look after both the Defence Ministry side and the top leadership work of DRDO. DRDO is one of India’s most important science and defence bodies. It works on new weapons, military systems, and other technology used by the armed forces.
Multilateral military exercise opportunity to boost indigenous defence industry: Official
What Happens After Samir V Kamat’s Retirement?
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has been entrusted with the additional charge of the DRDO. pic.twitter.com/sqfTd7Am6j
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2026
31 May 2026: This change is happening because Dr. Samir V Kamat is finishing his tenure as DRDO Chairman. His extended term was already set to end on 31 May 2026. He first took charge as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and DRDO Chairman in August 2022.
During his time, DRDO pushed ahead in a number of important areas. These included quantum computing research, stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles, electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, indigenous electric propulsion for warships, space-based intelligence and surveillance work, and bigger defence innovation efforts with academia and industry.
Kamat’s term also focused on making defence research more modern and more connected to Indian scientists, colleges, and private firms. DRDO newsletters and official government updates during 2025 and 2026 show him active in major research, naval, and technology-linked work across the organisation.
Rs 21,300 Crore Order Book Boost for Solar Industries India
Who is Rajesh Kumar Singh?
Rajesh Kumar Singh is a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. He has been serving as Defence Secretary, and he assumed that role on 1 November 2024. Before that, he worked in several important posts in the central government. He was Officer on Special Duty in the Defence Secretary-designate role, Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Director of Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development, Commissioner of Lands in the Delhi Development Authority, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
His new additional charge gives him a bigger role in India’s defence planning and defence technology work. DRDO will now be under his watch along with his current duties, at least until a regular chairman is appointed or until further orders.
