Gyanesh Kumar: New Election Chief | CEC India

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Gyanesh Kumar was appointed India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
• He is a 1988-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer.
• He played a key role in implementing decisions after the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
• His term will run until January 26, 2029.
• Vivek Joshi has been appointed as an Election Commissioner.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Former bureaucrat Gyanesh Kumar was appointed India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Monday, succeeding Rajiv Kumar, who had held the post since May 15, 2022. A 1988-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, Gyanesh Kumar’s term will run till January 26, 2029.

Appointment and Background

Gyanesh Kumar, 61, had been serving as an Election Commissioner since March 15 last year. He is the first CEC to be appointed under a new law on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission. During his stint in the Union Home Ministry, he played a key role in implementing decisions following the scrapping of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir.

Term and Responsibilities

During his tenure as the 26th CEC, Gyanesh Kumar will oversee the Assembly polls in Bihar later this year. He will also oversee the Assembly elections in Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026. Under his tenure, the elections for President and Vice-President will be held in 2027. The appointment of Gyanesh Kumar is significant for the upcoming elections.

Education and Previous Roles

He completed his BTech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur, studied Business Finance in ICFAI, India, and Environmental Economics from HIID, Harvard University, US. He has worked in the Government of Kerala as Assistant Collector of Ernakulam, Sub Collector of Adoor, the Managing Director of Kerala State Development Corporation for SCs and STs, Municipal Commissioner of the Corporation of Cochin, the Managing Director of Kerala State Cooperative Bank, Director of Industries and Commerce and District Collector of Ernakulam. He has also served as the Secretary of Goshree Islands Development Authority, the Managing Director of Trivandrum Airport Development Society, Project Director of Kerala State Transport Project and Resident Commissioner of Kerala House in Delhi.

Experience in Kerala Government

As Secretary to the Government of Kerala, the 61-year-old IAS officer has handled diverse departments such as Finance Resources, Fast Track Projects, Public Works Department, Modernising Government Programme, and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.

Experience in Indian Government

In the Government of India, he has a rich experience of working as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation. He superannuated on January 31, 2024. The experience of Gyanesh Kumar will be crucial in conducting free and fair elections.

Appointment of Vivek Joshi

According to law, a CEC or an Election Commissioner retires at the age of 65 or can have a tenure in the poll panel for six years. With Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as CEC, Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch Haryana-cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as an Election Commissioner. Born on May 21, 1966, Joshi (58) will serve in the poll panel until 2031. A former Haryana Chief Secretary, Joshi was on central deputation since January 2019. Gyanesh Kumar and Vivek Joshi will work together to ensure smooth electoral processes.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Gyanesh Kumar becomes the new Chief Election Commissioner of India.
• His term extends until January 26, 2029.
• He played an important role post Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Vivek Joshi is appointed as Election Commissioner.
• The Election Commission will conduct presidential elections in 2027.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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