Gyanesh Kumar took charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a new era at the helm of the Election Commission of India (ECI). His appointment follows the departure of Rajiv Kumar, who demitted office on Tuesday. Kumar’s first message to the nation underscored the importance of voting, calling it “the first step for nation building.” He urged every eligible citizen, aged 18 and above, to embrace their civic duty and vote. He also reaffirmed that the Election Commission, in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws, would always stand by the voters.
Kumar’s appointment is historic as he is the first CEC to be appointed under the new law governing the appointment of election commissioners. Alongside Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi will serve as election commissioners, with Joshi recently taking up his post.
Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, brings with him a wealth of experience across both central and state governments. Before assuming the role of CEC, he served as an election commissioner, working alongside Sandhu. His tenure has seen him in significant positions, including five years in the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he worked as a joint secretary from 2016 to 2018, and as an additional secretary from 2018 to 2021.
Notably, Kumar played a pivotal role in the post-Article 370 landscape, handling the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. He was also involved in the establishment of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, further cementing his prominence in high-profile national matters.
An engineer by training, Kumar holds a degree in civil engineering from IIT Kanpur. He also studied Business Finance at ICFAI and Environmental Economics at Harvard University, showcasing a strong academic foundation to complement his extensive career.
As he takes on this key constitutional role, Gyanesh Kumar’s leadership is poised to shape the future of India’s electoral landscape, ensuring the integrity of the nation’s democratic processes.
