New Delhi: Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Bharat, succeeding Rajiv Kumar, who is set to retire on Tuesday, February 19. Kumar, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, played significant roles in national policy-making, including the reorganisation of J&K and Kashmir and the establishment of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Kumar’s appointment was announced shortly after a high-level panel, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened to select the new CEC. The panel’s meeting also saw Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raising concerns about the timing of the appointment, urging the government to wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict on petitions challenging the new appointment process. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on Wednesday.
Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India with effect from 19.02.25#ECI #CEC pic.twitter.com/Gn0XIXvfyw
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) February 17, 2025
Kumar’s tenure as CEC will extend until January 26, 2029. During this period, he will oversee multiple crucial elections, including 20 Assembly elections, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 2027, and the preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
A Distinguished Career in Governance
Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as an Election Commissioner on March 14, 2024, shortly after retiring from the IAS in January the same year. He assumed office on March 15, and just a day later, the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections. Over the past 11 months, he has worked alongside Rajiv Kumar and fellow Election Commissioner Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu in conducting significant electoral events, including the first-ever Assembly elections in the Union Territory of J& K and Assembly elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
Before joining the Election Commission, Kumar served as Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation, where he played a crucial role in passing the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act, 2023, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the cooperative sector. His extensive bureaucratic experience spans across ministries, including Parliamentary Affairs, Defence, and Home Affairs, besides holding key administrative positions in Kerala.
Role in J&K Reorganisation & Ram Janmabhoomi Trust
As Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) between 2018 and 2021, Kumar was a key architect in the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. His involvement in drafting and implementing the J&K Reorganisation Bill was instrumental in the execution of one of India’s most significant constitutional changes.
Kumar was also entrusted with setting up the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, further illustrating the Modi government’s confidence in his administrative capabilities. His role in these historic events underscores his influence in shaping India’s political and administrative landscape.
Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Kumar holds a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. His career began in Kerala, where he held various roles in key departments such as the Public Works Department and Finance. He also served as the Resident Commissioner of Kerala House in Delhi from 2012 to 2016.
