Dr Ajay Kumar, a 1985-batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, has been appointed as Defence Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Dr Kumar who will replace Sanjay Mitra.
Ajay Kumar took charge on August 23, when Sanjay Mitra retired. Ajay Kumar was previously appointed as the principal secretary to Kerala government and Collector of Palakkad district. Ajay Kumar, who is the present defence production secretary, is a native of Uttar Pradesh .
The ACC has also cleared the appointment of Shri Subhash Chandra, Special Secretary (Defence) as Secretary (Defence Production) in place of Dr Kumar. Shri Chandra is a 1986-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.
