The Department of Personnel and Training issued an order on Saturday that extends Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989‑batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, beyond the scheduled end of his tenure on Oct. 31, 2026.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension, citing a relaxation of Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death‑cum‑Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, allowing Singh to stay on the payroll for an extra year.
Singh has overseen key procurement drives, including the Defence Acquisition Policy reforms, and steered the ministry through the COVID‑19 supply‑chain crunch, earning praise from senior officials for keeping critical projects on track.
The decision aligns with the government’s broader strategy to maintain continuity in defence leadership amid rising regional tensions, a move that analysts say will smooth the transition to future appointments.
The extension is effective from 1 Nov 2026 and will see Singh retain his portfolio until 31 Oct 2027, or earlier if further orders are issued. The ministry will publicly announce the change on its website and in a press briefing next week.