UPSC Chairman List 1926 -2025, Dr Ajay Kumar Appointed as New Chairman of UPSC

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The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds a prestigious position as the head of India’s premier recruitment body for civil services. Recently, retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and former Defence Secretary, Dr. Ajay Kumar, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the UPSC.  As the central agency responsible for the recruitment of Group ‘A’ officers in various government departments, the UPSC plays a critical role in shaping India’s bureaucracy. Dr. Kumar’s appointment has been made by the President of India under Article 316(1) of the Constitution, which details the process of appointing members to the public service commissions. This article delves into the salary, tenure, list of UPSC Chairmen, and the appointment process in India, shedding light on the significance of this prestigious role.

UPSC Chairman Overview

The Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the head of one of India’s most important constitutional bodies, responsible for conducting civil services and other central recruitment examinations. The position of the UPSC Chairman is governed by the provisions of Article 316 of the Constitution of India, which outlines the appointment, tenure, and eligibility criteria. The Chairman is appointed by the President of India and is entrusted with ensuring free, fair, and transparent recruitment to various posts under the Government of India.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Cut off Analysis

UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar

Ajay Kumar, a 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). He is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and holds a PhD in Business Administration and an MS in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, USA

• He served as the Defence Secretary of India from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022, making him one of the longest-serving officers in this position. During his tenure, he emerged as one of the country’s senior-most and most impactful bureaucrats.
• Ajay Kumar is widely credited for driving major defence reforms, including the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the launch of the Agniveer recruitment scheme, and the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board.
• Under the AtmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, he played a crucial role in promoting indigenous defence manufacturing, aiming to reduce India’s dependence on foreign defence imports.
• Before serving in the Ministry of Defence, he held key positions in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), where he made notable contributions to India’s digital governance ecosystem.
• He was closely associated with the development and implementation of several flagship projects under Digital India, including Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), myGov, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform.
• Ajay Kumar also played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s electronics and mobile manufacturing sector. He was the architect of the National Electronics Policy 2012, which laid the foundation for the country’s growth in this domain.
• With his extensive experience in administration, policy formulation, defence reform, and digital transformation, his appointment as UPSC Chairman is expected to bring strategic leadership and progressive reforms to the institution.

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Pattern

UPSC Chairman Tenure

• The tenure of the UPSC Chairman is governed by Article 316 of the Indian Constitution.
• A UPSC Chairman can hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• The same rule applies to other members of the Union Public Service Commission
• After completing the tenure, a Chairman is not eligible for reappointment to the same post.
• However, a member of UPSC can be appointed as Chairman, provided they have not completed their 6-year term or reached the age limit.

Also Read: Constitutional bodies in India

UPSC Chairman Salary

The UPSC Chairman receives an annual salary of ₹30 lakhs, which translates to ₹2.5 lakh per month. This revision came after the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations, resulting in a substantial threefold increase in the salary structure.

• Before the revision, the monthly salary of the UPSC Chairman was ₹90,000.
• Along with the Chairman, other members of the UPSC now receive a monthly salary of ₹2.25 lakh.
• The enhanced salary reflects the importance and constitutional status of the position.

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UPSC Chairman List 1926 -2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has seen several distinguished officers serve as its Chairman since its establishment in 1926. Below is the updated chronological list, including the recently appointed Ajay Kumar.

Powers and Functions of the UPSC Chairman 

As per Article 320 of the Constitution of India, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is mandated to be consulted on various matters relating to the recruitment of civil services and posts. The Chairman of the UPSC and the Commission hold the following powers and functions under this article:

• Organizing Examinations: Conducting exams for selecting candidates for various Union services.
• Direct Recruitment: Carrying out direct recruitment to posts through interviews and other procedures.
• Appointment of Officers: Appointing officers to positions through promotions, deputation, or absorption.
• Recruitment Rules: Formulating, revising, and implementing the recruitment rules for different government services and posts.
• Disciplinary Matters: Handling disciplinary matters concerning the various Civil Services under the purview of the Union.
• Advisory Role: Providing advice to the Government on matters referred by the President of India to the UPSC.

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How is the UPSC Chairman selected?

The UPSC Chairman is appointed by the President of India, following the provisions under Article 316 of the Constitution. The selection is based on eligibility criteria, including extensive experience in central or state services.

What is the tenure of the UPSC Chairman?

The tenure of the UPSC Chairman is six years or until the individual reaches the age of 65, whichever occurs first. No reappointment is allowed after the completion of the term.

Who is the current UPSC Chairman?

The current UPSC Chairman is Dr. Ajay Kumar, appointed in May 2025. He previously served as India's Defence Secretary and is known for his contributions to defence reforms and digital governance.

 

What are the responsibilities of the UPSC Chairman?

The UPSC Chairman oversees the recruitment process for various Union services, organizes examinations, provides advice to the government, and handles disciplinary matters related to civil services.

What is the salary of the UPSC Chairman?

The UPSC Chairman receives a salary of ₹30 lakhs annually, translating to ₹2.5 lakh per month. This salary was increased significantly following the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.