Meet Gyanesh Kumar, the 1988 batch IAS officer appointed as India's new Chief Election Commissioner
An experienced administrator set to lead electoral reforms and transparency in India
The central government appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of the country late Monday night. The current CEC Rajeev Kumar is retiring on Tuesday. This decision was made in a selection committee meeting held at 5:30 PM on Monday, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Who is Gyanesh Kumar?
Gyanesh Kumar is a retired officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the 1988 batch, hailing from the Kerala cadre. He has held several important positions in both state and central government. While serving in the central government, he played a crucial role in implementing decisions related to the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir when he was posted in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Gyanesh Kumar, who has been appointed as Election Commissioner starting March 15, 2024, is a highly respected officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Originally from Agra, Gyanesh Kumar completed his early education there. He studied B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur. After that, he pursued Business Finance from ICFAI in India. Later, he went to the United States and completed his studies in Environmental Economics at Harvard University, after which he joined the Indian Administrative Service.
Contribution to Ram Mandir construction
His contribution was also notable in the documents presented in the Supreme Court regarding the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. During this work, he provided witness and administrative assistance with important documents in the Supreme Court on Ram Mandir.
Gyanesh Kumar in the Election Commission
Gyanesh Kumar started his new journey with the Election Commission after retiring from the post of Cooperative Secretary. His contribution to transparency in the electoral process has been commendable, especially in monitoring election expenses and promises. He opposes fake narratives using social media and supports the implementation of new measures to ensure integrity in the electoral process.
His predictions and views are also that artificial intelligence (AI) can bring a revolutionary change in election operations. He believes that the electoral process can be made more transparent and efficient with the right use of technology. Gyanesh Kumar's tenure as Election Commissioner will last till January 26, 2029. During this time, he will have to ensure the conduct of a total of 22 assembly elections in the country. This responsibility will be a test of his administrative skills and leadership, and major changes and reforms in the electoral process are expected during his tenure.