Gyanesh Kumar’s Journey to CEC: Inspiring Education and Career Milestones
Let’s Explore the inspiring journey of Gyanesh Kumar, India’s newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). From his remarkable education at IIT Kanpur and Harvard to his impactful career in government, this article highlights his significant milestones and leadership in the election process.
Gyanesh Kumar, whose name has gained considerable attention due to his current role as an Election Commissioner, has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. He succeeds Rajiv Kumar and will assume office at the age of 61, becoming the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
The Ministry also announced the appointment of Vivek Joshi as Election Commissioner alongside Gyanesh Kumar. These appointments mark a significant change at the top of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The new appointments will take effect on February 19, 2025, as Rajiv Kumar will step down on February 18, 2025.
Education and Career Background of Gyanesh Kumar
Born on January 27, 1964, Gyanesh Kumar was an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer before his retirement on January 31, 2024. He belonged to the 1988 batch of IAS officers from the Kerala cadre. His educational background had a significant impact on his career:
- B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur, an institution known for academic excellence.
- Business Finance degree from ICFAI.
- Studied Environmental Economics at Harvard University.
Kumar has previously served in multiple important positions. He was the Cooperation Secretary and Parliamentary Affairs Secretary at the Centre, as well as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. During his time in the Cooperation Ministry, he oversaw the enactment of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the formation of three national cooperative bodies:
- Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL)
- National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and
- National Cooperative Export Limited (NCEL).
Additionally, he played a crucial role in launching the CRCS-Sahara refund portal to enable genuine depositors of the Sahara Group’s Multi-State Cooperative Societies to submit their claims.
Throughout his distinguished career, Kumar held numerous key positions, including Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Joint and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He also served in various roles in Kerala, including in the Public Works and Finance departments, and as the resident commissioner at Kerala House in Delhi from 2012 to 2016.
As Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (2018–2021), Kumar played an instrumental role during the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir. He also contributed to the drafting committee for the abolition of triple talaq and handled documentation for the Supreme Court’s hearing on the Ram Temple case.
Kumar’s vast experience in government bureaucracy positions him well to serve as India’s Chief Election Commissioner. His education and career demonstrate his unwavering dedication to public service, and it is expected that he will bring this wealth of experience to his new role as CEC.
Kumar’s Role as Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as an Election Commissioner on March 14, 2024, just two months after retiring from the IAS.
- He assumed office on March 15, the day the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections.
- Over the past 11 months, he, alongside Rajiv Kumar and fellow Election Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, has overseen several elections, including:
- The first Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
- His tenure as CEC will last until January 26, 2029, during which he will oversee:
- 20 Assembly elections.
- The Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 2027.
- Preparation for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Appointment Process of Gyanesh Kumar
In a meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Gyanesh Kumar’s name was finalized. Initially the panel had shortlisted five names for the consideration of the committee. From those five names, Gyanesh Kumar was selected as he is the senior-most Election Commissioner. The three-member committee’s recommendation was subsequently approved by President Draupadi Murmu.
Initially, Rahul Gandhi had opposed the appointment, urging the government to delay the decision until the Supreme Court concluded its hearings on petitions challenging the appointment process. However, Gandhi’s dissent was not taken into account, and the Supreme Court is set to hear the petitions on February 19, 2025.
New Law for Appointing CEC
- Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment follows the enactment of a new law governing the selection process for the CEC and other Election Commissioners.
- Before the 2023 Act, India did not have a specific procedure for appointing the CEC and Election Commissioners.
- The new law states that the President appoints the CEC and ECs based on the advice of a selection committee, which now includes the Prime Minister, a Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Criticism of the New Law:
The new law has been criticized for excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee. The government argues that the judiciary should not play a role in executive appointments. In January 2024, two petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the law, arguing that it contravenes previous Supreme Court rulings. The court is scheduled to hear the case again on February 19, 2025.
As the Chief Election Commissioner, Kumar will first oversee elections in five states—West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Assam. Among these, Bihar will hold elections later in 2025, while the other states are scheduled to vote in 2026.
Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as Chief Election Commissioner marks a significant milestone in his career. His education, experience, and unwavering commitment to public service make him an excellent fit for the role. His tenure will be closely watched, especially as he oversees several crucial elections in the coming years. Kumar’s career serves as an inspiration for young Indians, emphasizing the importance of education, hard work, and the opportunity to serve the nation.
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