Rajnath Singh takes charge as Union minister bats for developing self-reliance in defence manufacturing

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajnath Singh assumed charge as the Union defence minister for a second consecutive term on Thursday. Sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said its 100-day action plan was on track and that 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in producing weapons and defence systems would be a major focus area.

After being elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, for a third consecutive time, 72-year-old Rajnath Singh took oath as a Union Cabinet Minister on Sunday. His previous tenure as defence minister spanned from 2019 to 2024.

Arriving at South Block, New Delhi, to assume charge, Singh was welcomed by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, who was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, Secretary (ex-servicemen welfare) Niten Chandra, and Secretary (Department of Defence R&D) and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat.