New Delhi: In a significant development, former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), as announced by the Union Personnel Ministry on Tuesday.
Kumar’s appointment comes following the conclusion of Preeti Sudan’s tenure on April 29, which left the position vacant. The decision was officially sanctioned by President Droupadi Murmu.
A distinguished 1985-batch retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, Kumar served as Defence Secretary from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022, according to his service records.
The UPSC plays a crucial role in the recruitment of civil servants, conducting examinations to select candidates for prestigious positions in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. The commission is led by a chairman and can include a maximum of ten members. Currently, there are two vacancies within the commission.
The Chairman of the UPSC is appointed for a term of six years or until the individual reaches the age of 65, whichever comes first.
