Pradeep Kumar appointed next defence secretary

Pradeep Kumar will be the new defence secretary, assuming charge on the superannuation of Vijay Singh at the end of this month. Kumar is currently secretary, defence production, at the ministry of defence.

Kumar, a Haryana cadre officer, belongs to the 1972 batch of the Indian Administrative Service. He is a graduate in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and holds a master in economic and social studies from the University of Wales, UK.

He has a rich and wide experience in the field of public administration and has held many senior positions in the Government of Haryana and Government of India.

His past appointments include director of industries, principal secretary, power irrigation, science and technology, and appointments in the town and country planning and urban estates departments in the Government of Haryana.

He has also worked as joint secretary in the department of heavy industry, additional secretary in the ministry of coal, chairman, National Highways Authority of India and secretary (disinvestment) in the ministry of finance, Government of India.

Kumar has also served on the boards of a number of leading companies, including Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Maruti Udyog Ltd., Andrew Yule Ltd., Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd., Coal India Ltd. and Nyvelli Lignite Corporation Ltd.