The government has assigned Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh the additional responsibility of heading the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) following the completion of DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat’s extended tenure on 31 May 2026. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Singh will continue serving as Defence Secretary while also taking over as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO. The arrangement has been approved to ensure uninterrupted leadership at one of India’s key defence research institutions.

Dr Kamat, who assumed charge as DRDO Chairman in 2022, served two additional one-year extensions during his tenure. As his term comes to an end, the government has opted for an interim leadership arrangement by entrusting Singh with the organisation’s top role until a permanent successor is appointed. The move is aimed at maintaining continuity in DRDO’s ongoing programmes and preserving momentum in critical defence technology and research projects.

The Personnel Ministry also announced similar interim appointments in other departments. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has been given additional charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences following the retirement of M. Ravichandran on 31 May. Her appointment is intended to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the ministry, which oversees key areas such as climate science, oceanography and disaster management.

Minority Affairs Secretary Srivatsa Krishna has been assigned the additional responsibility of Secretary of the National Commission for Minorities after the retirement of Alka Upadhyaya on 31 May. These appointments reflect the government’s approach of ensuring smooth administrative transitions by temporarily assigning senior officials to oversee multiple responsibilities until permanent appointments are made.

Rajesh Kumar Singh’s appointment assumes significance at a time when India is accelerating efforts to strengthen defence capabilities, expand indigenous weapons development and enhance strategic preparedness. Holding both the Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman positions places him in a unique role that could facilitate stronger coordination between defence policymaking and technological innovation. His tenure in the additional role is expected to attract considerable attention as DRDO continues advancing programmes central to India’s goal of achieving greater self-reliance in defence technology.