Wed May 14 04:15:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This appointment, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, fills the vacancy left after Preeti Sudan’s term ended. Kumar, a retired IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, served as Defence Secretary from 2019 to 2022. The UPSC is responsible for conducting civil service examinations for prestigious positions like IAS, IFS, and IPS. The Chairman’s term lasts for six years or until the age of 65.

**News Article:**

**Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar Appointed UPSC Chairman**

**New Delhi, May 14, 2025** – Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), according to an order from the Union Personnel Ministry. The appointment, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, comes after the previous Chairman, Preeti Sudan, completed her term on April 29th.

Mr. Kumar is a retired 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre. His distinguished career includes serving as Defence Secretary from August 2019 to October 2022.

The UPSC is a pivotal organization responsible for conducting the Civil Services Examination, selecting candidates for prestigious roles within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The Commission is headed by a Chairman and can have a maximum of ten members. Currently, there are two vacant member positions. A UPSC Chairman serves a term of six years or until reaching the age of 65.

This appointment marks a significant transition for the UPSC and is expected to bring Mr. Kumar’s extensive experience in governance and administration to the crucial role of overseeing the selection of India’s future civil servants.

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