In a moment of pride and transition for India’s administrative framework, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Former Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, officially took the Oath of Office and Secrecy as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) today. Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), the senior-most Member of the Commission, administered the oath, ushering in a new chapter in the leadership of the esteemed institution tasked with selecting the nation’s top civil servants.
A Distinguished Academic and Professional Background
Dr. Ajay Kumar brings with him an exceptional blend of academic brilliance and administrative acumen. He completed his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, establishing a strong base in science, technology, and governance. Driven by a passion for advanced learning, he went on to earn an M.S. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, USA, and later obtained a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the renowned Carlson School of Management. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to public service and innovation, Amity University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in 2019.
A Stalwart of the Indian Administrative Service
A 1985-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the Kerala cadre, Dr. Ajay Kumar has built a distinguished career spanning over 35 years. Throughout his journey in public service, he has held pivotal roles at both the state and central levels, driving impactful reforms through his strategic insight and forward-thinking leadership.
In Kerala, Dr. Kumar held critical assignments such as:
- Managing DirectorElectronics and Information Technology Department
- Principal SecretaryInformation Technology Department
At the Centrehe handled several high-impact roles, including:
- DirectorDepartment of Science & Technology
- Joint SecretaryMinistry of Communications and Information Technology
- Director GeneralNational Informatics Centre (NIC)
- Additional SecretaryMinistry of Electronics & Information Technology
- SecretaryDefence Production
- SecretaryMinistry of Defence (his last held position)
Championing Digital India and e-Governance
Dr. Kumar has been widely recognized as one of the key architects behind India’s digital transformation in governance. Under his leadership, several citizen-centric and technology-driven initiatives were conceptualized and implemented, such as:
- Jeevan pramaan – Digital life certificates for pensioners
- Mygov – Citizen engagement platform
- Pragati – The Prime Minister’s real-time review platform via video conferencing
- Biometric Attendance System – To improve transparency in monitoring government attendance
- OPD Registration System at AIIMS – Revolutionizing patient registration
- “Cloud First” Policy – Encouraging government departments to adopt cloud technologies
These initiatives have not only improved efficiency but also enhanced transparency and accessibility in public services.
Honors, Awards, and Publications
Dr. Ajay Kumar’s unwavering commitment and remarkable contributions have been widely acknowledged. His work has garnered numerous prestigious national and international accolades, including:
- Silver Elephant Medallion by National Scouts and Guides (1994)
- Electronics Leader of the Year (2012) for promoting the electronics industry
- Technovation Sarabhai Award (2015) by India Electronics and Semiconductor Association
- Recipient of the “Champion of Change” award in 2017, conferred by the Consumer Electronics & Appliances Manufacturers Association.
Apart from his work in administration, Dr. Kumar is also an avid scholar and writerhaving published extensively in leading national and international journals on topics to technology, governance, and economic policy.
A New Era at UPSC
As he takes charge of the Union Public Service Commission, Dr. Ajay Kumar is poised to bring his vision, experience, and leadership to one of India’s most vital constitutional bodies. The UPSC plays a central role in selecting the country’s civil servants—those who will shape India’s policies and governance in the coming decades. With Dr. Kumar at the helm, the commission is expected to embrace reforms that promote meritocracy, transparency, and future-readiness in civil services recruitment.
His appointment is being hailed as a progressive step toward modernizing the civil services and aligning them more closely with the aspirations of a New India—dynamic, digital, and development-driven.
In Summary, Dr. Ajay Kumar’s assumption of office as Chairman of UPSC is not just a ceremonial milestone, but a moment of renewal for India’s administrative machinery. With his stellar record, deep understanding of policy, and unwavering commitment to public service, he is well-positioned to steer UPSC into a new era of excellence and innovation.
