Irfan Jutt
On May 14, 2025, the Union Ministry of Personnel announced the appointment of Dr. Ajay Kumar, a distinguished former Defence Secretary and retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This pivotal role places him at the forefront of India’s civil services recruitment, a testament to his extensive experience and visionary leadership in public administration.
Ajay Kumar: A Storied Career in Public Service
Born on October 2, 1962, in Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Kumar embarked on his civil service journey with the 1985 batch of the IAS, allocated to the Kerala cadre. His academic credentials are exemplary. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and both a Master’s degree in Development Economics and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Kumar’s early career was marked by significant contributions to Kerala’s electronics sector, notably through his leadership at KELTRON, a pioneering public sector electronics company. His tenure as Principal Secretary in Kerala’s Information Technology Department further underscored his commitment to leveraging technology for governance.
Ajay Kumar Championing Digital India and Defence Reforms
Transitioning to the central government, Ajay Kumar held key positions, including Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Director General of the National Informatics Centre. He was instrumental in implementing flagship initiatives under the Digital India program, such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, and MyGov, in, Government e-Marketplace (GeM, and Jeevan Pramaan, which have collectively transformed India’s digital landscape.
In the defence sector, Dr. Kumar’s impact was profound. As Defence Production Secretary and later as Defence Secretary, he spearheaded the corporatization of the 200-year-old Ordnance Factories Board, enhancing efficiency and accountability. He also launched the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, fostering a vibrant start-up ecosystem in defence, space, drones, and artificial intelligence. His tenure was marked by significant strides towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Ajay Kumar Post-Retirement Endeavors and Continued Contributions
After retiring as Defence Secretary in October 2022, Dr. Kumar remained actively engaged in shaping India’s strategic landscape. He founded the Mounttech Growth Fund, a SEBI-approved venture capital fund with a corpus of ₹250 crore, aimed at supporting start-ups in aerospace, defence, and deep tech sectors.
His expertise also led to his appointment as an advisor to the Board of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), where he contributes to enhancing bilateral cooperation in technology and defence. Additionally, Dr. Kumar serves as a non-resident Senior Fellow at Carnegie India and holds academic positions at IIT Kanpur, reflecting his commitment to knowledge dissemination and policy development.
Steering the UPSC Towards a Progressive Future
As Chairman of the UPSC, Dr. Kumar assumes responsibility for overseeing the recruitment of officers for All India Services and Central Civil Services, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the examination process. His tenure is expected to last until October 1, 2027, or until he reaches the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Dr. Kumar’s appointment is anticipated to bring a fresh perspective to the UPSC, integrating technological advancements and innovative practices into the commission’s operations. His extensive experience in governance, digital transformation, and strategic planning positions him to lead the UPSC in adapting to the evolving demands of public service recruitment.
Conclusion
Dr. Ajay Kumar’s elevation to the role of UPSC Chairman is a culmination of a distinguished career dedicated to public service and innovation. His leadership is poised to usher in a new era for the UPSC, aligning the commission’s processes with contemporary challenges and expectations. As India continues to evolve, Dr. Kumar’s vision and expertise will be instrumental in shaping a responsive and dynamic civil services framework.
