The Government of India has assigned the additional charge of Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation to the current Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh. This appointment follows the completion of the tenure of Dr. Samir V. Kamat on May 31, 2026. The transition places the administrative leadership of the country’s main defence research body under the topmost bureaucrat of the Ministry of Defence.
Overview of the Transition
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved assigning the additional charge to Rajesh Kumar Singh, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1989 batch belonging to the Kerala cadre. He has been serving as India’s Defence Secretary since November 1, 2024, when he succeeded Giridhar Aramane following his retirement. Under the official directive, he will hold these additional responsibilities until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders.
The outgoing head, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, served as the Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) since August 2022. His tenure concluded on May 31, 2026, following multiple service extensions from the government. This transition comes at a time when the country is accelerating its indigenous manufacturing and research initiatives.
Administrative Structure of the Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) coordinates and supervises all departments and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the Indian Armed Forces. The Ministry is organised into five distinct departments, each headed by a Secretary. The Defence Secretary serves as the administrative head of the Department of Defence and acts as the overall coordinator of the Ministry.
The five departments under the Ministry of Defence and their administrative heads are detailed below:
| Department | Headed By | Primary Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defence (DoD) | Defence Secretary | Defence policy, international cooperation, and general ministry administration |
| Department of Defence Production (DDP) | Secretary, Defence Production | Indigenous manufacturing, imports, and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) |
| Department of Military Affairs (DMA) | Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) | Integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force along with joint procurement |
| Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) | Secretary, DDR&D (Defence Secretary as additional charge) | Scientific research, design, and development of military technology |
| Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) | Secretary, Ex-Servicemen Welfare | Welfare, resettlement, and pensionary benefits for retired personnel |
Each department plays a unique role in maintaining the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces while promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Role of the Department of Defence Research and Development
The Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) was established in 1980 to advise the government on scientific aspects of military equipment and to formulate research plans for the national defence services. The department administers and operates the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which serves as the primary research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence.
Established in 1958, the DRDO was formed by the amalgamation of three existing organisations:
- The Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army
- The Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP)
- The Defence Science Organisation (DSO)
DRDO is headquartered at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. The organisation is tasked with achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies by designing, developing, and leading the manufacturing of advanced weapon systems, sensors, and combat vehicles. Some of its notable developments include the Agni and Prithvi series of missiles, the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, and the Arjun Main Battle Tank. The administration of both the Department of Defence and the Department of Defence Research and Development under a single leadership is expected to streamline coordination and accelerate project approvals.
Key Takeaways
- Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre and the current Defence Secretary, has been given the additional charge of Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- He succeeds Dr. Samir V. Kamat, who concluded his tenure as DRDO Chairman on May 31, 2026.
- The Ministry of Defence consists of five departments: Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, Department of Military Affairs, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.
- The Department of Defence Research and Development was established in 1980 to advise the government on scientific aspects of military planning.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 and is headquartered at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
- DRDO was formed by the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP), and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
