Yes, Dr. Ajay Kumar, a distinguished former Defence Secretary of India and an accomplished Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). His appointment was officially announced in May 2025, following the completion of Preeti Sudan’s tenure on April 29, 2025. The decision was cleared by President Droupadi Murmu and marks a significant leadership transition at the nation’s premier civil services recruitment body.
Who is Ajay Kumar?
Ajay Kumar is a 1985-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, renowned for his transformative contributions to India’s administrative, defence, and digital sectors. Born on October 2, 1962, in Uttar Pradesh, he is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, where he completed his BTech, and holds both a PhD in Business Administration and an MS in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota. His academic achievements are complemented by his status as a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
A Career of Transformative Leadership
Ajay Kumar’s administrative career spans nearly four decades, during which he held several critical positions at both the central and state government levels. As Defence Secretary from August 2019 to October 2022, he was instrumental in major reforms, including:
- Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post
- Launch of the Agniveer scheme for military recruitment
- Spearheading the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives in defence
- Corporatisation of the Ordnance Factories Board, modernizing a 200-year-old institution employing 80,000 people
Before his tenure in the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Kumar played a pivotal role in the Ministry of Electronics and IT. He was a key architect of the Digital India movement, helping implement landmark projects such as UPI (Unified Payments Interface), Aadhaar, myGov, and the Government e-Marketplace, which have transformed public service delivery and digital payments in India.
He also served as Principal Secretary and Managing Director of KELTRON in Kerala, where he successfully revived the state electronics enterprise.
The Significance of His Appointment
Ajay Kumar succeeds Preeti Sudan, who served as UPSC Chairperson from July 2024 until April 2025. His appointment is seen as more than a routine administrative change; it signals an emphasis on merit, reform, and visionary leadership for one of India’s most critical institutions. The UPSC, responsible for conducting the country’s most prestigious and challenging civil services examinations, now comes under the stewardship of a leader known for both strategic vision and an ability to drive systemic change.
His term as UPSC Chairman will continue until October 2027, when he reaches the age of 65, as per the commission’s rules.
What Lies Ahead
With Dr. Ajay Kumar at the helm, the UPSC is expected to benefit from his deep experience in governance, technology, and institutional reform. His track record suggests a focus on transparency, efficiency, and modernization-qualities that are likely to shape the next generation of India’s civil servants.
In summary, Ajay Kumar’s appointment as UPSC Chairman marks the beginning of a new era for the commission. His blend of administrative acumen, technological foresight, and reformist zeal positions him as a leader poised to redefine the standards and expectations of civil service leadership in India.
