Dr Ajay Kumar, a retired IAS officer from the 1985 Kerala cadre and former defence secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an official notification confirming the appointment, stating that his tenure will begin from the day he assumes office. The appointment has been made under Article 316(1) of the Indian Constitution.
Ajay Kumar succeeds Preeti Sudan, who served as UPSC chief until April 29. Sudan, a former health secretary, was appointed to the post in July 2024 following the sudden resignation of Manoj Soni. Manoj, who had been a member of the commission since June 2017 and became chairperson in May 2023, stepped down five years ahead of completing his term, citing personal reasons.
Manoj’s abrupt exit raised questions from opposition leaders, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressing concerns over the lack of transparency and hinting at possible links to alleged irregularities in the commission. These suspicions were fueled by last year’s high-profile controversy involving Puja Khedkar, who was accused of misusing the civil services examination system. Her candidature was subsequently cancelled, and she was barred from future exams.
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The UPSC plays a key role in overseeing recruitment for central civil services, as well as handling promotions, deputations, and disciplinary proceedings across various services.
