Tue Feb 18 10:11:43 UTC 2025: ## IAS Officer Gyanesh Kumar Appointed India’s New Chief Election Commissioner Amidst Controversy

**New Delhi** – Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, has been appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), succeeding Rajiv Kumar. His term will run until January 26, 2029. The appointment, made by a panel including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has sparked controversy.

The Congress party has criticized the selection process, citing the absence of the Chief Justice of India from the appointment panel and calling for a postponement pending a Supreme Court ruling on the matter.

Kumar, who served as an Election Commissioner since March 15, 2024, brings extensive experience in various central government ministries. He previously held key positions including Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperation, played a role in establishing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, and oversaw Jammu and Kashmir affairs during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

His academic background includes a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur, Business Finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, and Environmental Economics from Harvard University.

As CEC, Kumar will oversee crucial elections, including the Bihar Assembly polls later this year and state elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu in 2026. This appointment marks the first under the new law governing Election Commission appointments. His extensive civil service experience and diverse qualifications are seen as significant assets in ensuring free and fair elections.

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