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Former Bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Chosen as Election Commissioners

Kalyani Jha
14 Mar, 2024

In a significant development, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led high-level committee has appointed former bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu as the new Election Commissioners, as confirmed by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

The vacancies in the Election Commission arose due to the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey in February and the unexpected resignation of Arun Goel just days before the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Gyanesh Kumar, one of the newly appointed Election Commissioners, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

Gyanesh Kumar's Professional Journey

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, has a distinguished career marked by pivotal roles in various government departments. Noteworthy among his assignments is his tenure as Joint Secretary in the Kashmir Division of the Home Ministry, where he played a key role during the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Additionally, Kumar served as the Additional Secretary in charge of a dedicated desk within the Home Ministry that handled all matters related to the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya case, including the establishment of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. This trust was instrumental in the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya following the Supreme Court's historic decision in November 2019.

Kumar's Contribution to Legislation and Defence

During his tenure at the Ministry of Cooperation, Kumar played a significant role in the enactment of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) (Amendment) Act, 2023, showcasing his legislative acumen. In an earlier role during the UPA government, Kumar served as Joint Secretary (Defence Production) in the Ministry of Defence from 2007 to 2012, highlighting his diverse experience across sectors.

Educational Background and Family Heritage

Gyanesh Kumar's academic credentials are equally impressive, with a BTech in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. He furthered his education with a postgraduate degree in Economics from Harvard University, USA, and pursued studies in Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI).

Born into a family with a rich legacy, Kumar's father was a respected doctor, and his grandfather was a freedom fighter who later served as a principal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This illustrious background reflects Kumar's deep-rooted connection to public service and his commitment to upholding democratic values and governance principles in his new role as an Election Commissioner.