Dr. Ajay Kumar: Appoinment new Chairman, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Dr. Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), effective May 14, 2025. His appointment follows the retirement of Preeti Sudan on April 29, 2025, and was formalized through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training under Article 316(1) of the Indian Constitution
Background and Career
Dr. Kumar is a 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre. He served as India’s Defence Secretary from August 2019 to October 2022, during which he oversaw significant reforms, including the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff position and the launch of the Agniveer recruitment scheme . He also played a pivotal role in the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board and the advancement of the Digital India initiative.
Educational Qualifications
Dr. Kumar holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He further pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Master’s degree in Development Economics and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota .
Tenure and Responsibilities
As Chairman of the UPSC, Dr. Kumar will serve until October 2027, when he reaches the age of 65, in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing the commission’s leadership . The UPSC is responsible for conducting examinations and recruiting for various civil services and posts under the Government of India.
Dr. Kumar’s extensive experience in public administration and his contributions to defense and digital governance are expected to bring valuable insights to the UPSC’s functioning.Dr. Ajay Kumar, a distinguished 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), India’s premier central recruiting agency. His appointment, effective from May 14, 2025, follows the retirement of Preeti Sudan on April 29, 2025
Dr. Kumar’s illustrious career spans over three decades, during which he has held several key positions in both the Government of India and the Government of Kerala. Notably, he served as the Defence Secretary of India from August 2019 to October 2022, where he was instrumental in implementing significant reforms, including the introduction of the Agniveer recruitment scheme and the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff position . His tenure also saw the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board and advancements in the Digital India initiative.
As per the constitutional provisions, Dr. Kumar’s tenure as UPSC Chairman will continue until he attains the age of 65, which will be in October 2027 . In his new role, he will oversee the recruitment process for various civil services and other key government posts, ensuring transparency and efficiency in India’s premier government recruitment agency.
Dr. Kumar’s extensive experience in public administration and his contributions to defense and digital governance are expected to bring valuable insights to the UPSC’s functioning.
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