As the government has focused on modernising the three services, veteran bureaucrat Giridhar Aramane took over as the new defence secretary on Tuesday. Prior to his new position, Aramane, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official from the 1988 batch, was secretary of the ministry of roads and highways.
Aramane honoured the dead troops by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial before assuming charge.
He stated, “We take courage from these bravehearts and pledge to endeavour to realise their aim of making India a secure and successful nation.
Ajay Kumar was replaced by Aramane after he left his position on Monday.
Aramane has held a number of significant roles in the Andhra Pradesh and federal governments during his 32-year tenure as an IAS officer.
He also worked in the cabinet secretariat as a second secretary. Aramane served as executive director in charge of inspections at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and oversaw the ministry of petroleum and natural gas’s exploration division (IRDA).
He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad and his master’s degree from IIT in Madras.
He also completed an MBA in Economics at Kakatiya University in Warangal.