Dr. Ajay Kumar, a former Defence Secretary and 1985-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). With a rich background in governance, defence reforms, and digital policy initiatives, Dr. Kumar brings a legacy of impactful leadership.
During his tenure as Defence Secretary (2019–2022), he was key to implementing major reforms like the Chief of Defence Staff, Agniveer scheme, and Ordnance Factory corporatisation. He also played a vital role in Digital India initiatives, contributing to UPI, Aadhaar, MyGov, and GeM.
An IIT Kanpur alumnus with a PhD in Business Administration and an MS in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Kumar is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in UPSC’s recruitment process. His appointment signals a reform-oriented and forward-thinking phase for the Commission.
