In a significant administrative development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has a new leader at its helm. Dr. Ajay Kumar, a seasoned bureaucrat and former Defence Secretary, has been appointed as the new UPSC Chairman. 

His appointment comes at a time when the commission is under scrutiny over recent controversies and leadership changes.

Former Defence Secretary Takes Over as UPSC Head

Dr. Ajay Kumar, a retired 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre and former Defence Secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He served as Defence Secretary from August 23, 2019, until his retirement on October 31, 2022.

The appointment was formally announced late Tuesday through an official order by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The order stated, “The President is pleased to appoint Dr. Ajay Kumar as Chairman, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), under Article 316(1) of the Constitution of India,” which governs the appointment of members to public service commissions. His term will begin from the day he assumes office.

Ajay Kumar succeeds Preeti Sudan, whose tenure as UPSC chairperson ended on April 29. Sudan, a former Health Secretary, was appointed as the UPSC head in July 2024 following the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Manoj Soni.

Manoj Soni, who was initially a member of the UPSC from June 2017 to May 2023, took over as Chairperson after that. He resigned five years before the completion of his term, citing personal reasons. 

However, the delay in making his resignation public raised questions from the opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders asked whether Soni’s exit was linked to alleged scandals involving the UPSC.

Last year, the UPSC made headlines due to a controversy involving Puja Khedkar, a probationary IAS officer accused of misusing the system to claim additional attempts at the civil services exam by faking her identity. 

In July, the UPSC cancelled her provisional selection and barred her from all future exams and appointments. 

Notably, Soni stepped down in early June, just before this controversy came to light.

The UPSC is one of India’s most crucial constitutional bodies, responsible for conducting the civil services examination, handling promotions, deputations, and disciplinary matters across the government’s administrative framework.

Ajay Kumar now takes charge at a time when the commission continues to face questions about transparency, fairness, and public trust.