Dr. Ajay Kumar, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer 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 order late Tuesday confirming the appointment under Article 316(1) of the Constitution of India.
A 1985-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, Dr. Kumar served as defence secretary from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022. Known for his contributions to defence modernisation and strategic affairs, his appointment is seen as a move to bring experienced leadership to the UPSC, which is responsible for conducting the prestigious civil services examination and handling promotions, deputations, and disciplinary matters in the central civil services.
Dr. Kumar succeeds Preeti Sudan, former health secretary, whose term as UPSC chair ended on April 29, 2025. Sudan was appointed in July 2024 after the abrupt resignation of Manoj Soni. Soni, who had been with the commission since 2017 and took over as chairperson in May 2023, resigned in early June 2024, citing personal reasons. However, the resignation drew scrutiny from the opposition, with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge questioning whether it was linked to controversies surrounding the UPSC.
One such controversy erupted last year involving Puja Khedkar, who was accused of fraudulently availing additional civil services attempts by misrepresenting her identity. The UPSC subsequently debarred her from future examinations and annulled her candidature.
Dr. Kumar’s appointment comes at a time when the UPSC is under pressure to maintain transparency and integrity amid rising public scrutiny. His administrative experience and defence background are expected to bolster institutional credibility and drive reforms in the recruitment process.
