Gyanesh Kumar, the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), played a key role in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir into the Union Territories of Ladakh and J&K. Between 2018 and 2021, he served as an additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under the Narendra Modi government, Kumar was entrusted with formulating the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, one of the most secretive Bills ever introduced by a government.

On Monday, Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the next CEC, just hours after the Congress urged the government to defer the decision until the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the selection panel’s composition. He had earlier assumed office as an election commissioner on March 15, 2024.

Gyanesh Kumar is the first CEC to be appointed under a new law governing the selection of Election Commission members. His tenure will last until January 26, 2029, just before the expected announcement of the next Lok Sabha election schedule.

The Congress’s demand was raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a meeting of the selection panel, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as reported by PTI. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s South Block office, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the third panel member.

5 Key Facts About Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner:

1. IAS Background – A 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer.
2. Educational Qualifications – Holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur, studied Business Finance at ICFAI, India, and Environmental Economics at HIID, Harvard University.
3. Government of Kerala Roles – Served as Assistant Collector of Ernakulam, Sub-Collector of Adoor, Managing Director of the Kerala State Development Corporation for SC/ST, and Municipal Commissioner of Cochin, among other positions.
4. Administrative Expertise – As Secretary to the Kerala government, managed departments like Finance Resources, Fast-Track Projects, and the Public Works Department.
5. Government of India Experience – Held key positions, including Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation. He retired on January 31, 2024.