New Delhi, Feb 18: Gyanesh Kumar, a senior Union Home Ministry official known for his role in key government initiatives like the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the establishment of the Ram Temple trust, is set to assume office as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday. He will take over the role a day after Rajiv Kumar steps down on Tuesday evening.
Kumar, who retired as Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation in January 2024, was appointed as an Election Commissioner in March 2024. He will become the 26th CEC, marking a new chapter in the Election Commission’s history as he is the first to be appointed under the new law governing the appointment of Commission members.
His tenure will last until January 26, 2029, just days before the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the next Lok Sabha elections. According to the law, the CEC and Election Commissioners retire upon reaching the age of 65 or completing a six-year term, whichever comes first. Kumar will turn 65 on January 27, 2029.
During his time as CEC, Kumar will oversee several key elections, including the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, the Kerala and Puducherry Assembly polls in 2026, and the Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly polls in 2026. Additionally, he will be responsible for overseeing the elections for the President and Vice-President in 2027.
Before his appointment as Election Commissioner, Kumar was instrumental in implementing the government’s decisions after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He also played a significant role in the establishment of the Ram Temple trust following the Supreme Court verdict and monitored the court hearings on the matter closely.
Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer, holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur and further studied Business Finance at ICFAI, India, and Environmental Economics at Harvard University. His extensive career includes key posts in Kerala and the Government of India, including serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
His appointment was announced shortly after Congress called for a delay in the decision until the Supreme Court concludes hearings on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel for the Election Commission.
Kumar’s experience and leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the upcoming elections and ensuring a smooth democratic process in India.
