Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 14: Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and former defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the official order on Tuesday evening, announcing the appointment under Article 316(1) of the Indian Constitution.

Dr Kumar, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, will assume office as UPSC chairperson on the day he takes charge. He succeeds Preeti Sudan, whose tenure ended on April 29. Sudan, a former health secretary, had been appointed to the post in July 2024 after Manoj Soni's sudden resignation.

Soni, who had been a UPSC member from June 2017 to May 2023 before becoming chairperson, stepped down five years before the completion of his term, citing personal reasons. However, the Opposition has raised concerns about the timing and nature of his resignation. Leaders like Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have questioned whether the move was connected to alleged “scandals” involving the commission.

The UPSC faced intense scrutiny in 2024 during the Puja Khedkar controversy, in which the probationary IAS officer was found to have fraudulently claimed exam attempts by misrepresenting her identity. The UPSC revoked her candidacy and barred her from future examinations. Notably, Soni resigned just before the issue became public.

As UPSC chairperson, Dr Ajay Kumar will oversee civil services examinations, promotions, deputations, and disciplinary matters across India’s central services. His appointment comes at a crucial time, as the Commission works to restore public confidence and ensure integrity in its operations.