Giridhar Aramane has held various important portfolios in both Central and state governments. Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, took over as the new defence secretary on Tuesday

Seasoned bureaucrat and a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Giridhar Aramane, on Tuesday assumed charge as the new defence secretary. Before assuming the office, Aramane laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi and paid homage to the fallen heroes.

Aramane takes over as defence secretary at a time when the government is mulling modernisation of the three services.

At the National War Memorial, the IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre saluted the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives while protecting the nation.

During his visit to the War Memorial, the new defence secretary said, "We draw inspiration from these bravehearts and promise to work towards fulfilling their dream of making India a safe and prosperous country."

Aramane took over as defence secretary from Ajay Kumar upon his superannuation on Oct 31, 2022.

Here's all you need to know about the new defence secretary

Prior to this, Aramane served as secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. In his 32 years of experience in the IAS, Aramane has held various important portfolios in both Central and state governments.

Apart from looking after the Exploration Division in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Aramane has also served as an additional secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.

He was also the executive director in-charge of inspections at the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority. The senior bureaucrat has also served as the principal secretary in the Urban Development Department and Managing Director of AP State Finance Corporation and Secretary (Finance Department) in the Andhra Pradesh government.

As per the official statement issued by the defence ministry, Aramane has also held the positions of the collector and district magistrate of Chittoor and Khammam districts.

In terms of education, Aramane has done B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad and holds an M. Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.

He also hold a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Kakatiya University in Telangana's Warangal.