Who is appointed as the 26th 'Chief Election Commissioner of India'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Gyanesh Kumar
Explanation
Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on February 19, 2025. He succeeded Rajiv Kumar to head the Election Commission of India. Prior to his elevation to the top post, he had been serving as an Election Commissioner since March 2024. He is a retired 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre.
Key Points
He is the first Chief Election Commissioner to be appointed under the new provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The appointment was cleared by a high-level selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the established seniority convention within the poll body.
As the head of the three-member Election Commission of India, he is responsible for planning, directing, and supervising the entire process of conducting free and fair elections in the country.
Additional Facts
Gyanesh Kumar holds a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur and has also studied Environmental Economics at Harvard University.
During his tenure in the central government, he served in highly critical positions, including Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, as well as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs during the abrogation of Article 370.
The office of the Chief Election Commissioner is a constitutional post mandated under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, ensuring an independent body to oversee elections.
Important Questions
Question: On which date did Gyanesh Kumar officially take charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India?
Answer: February 19, 2025.
Question: Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment and powers of the Election Commission of India?
Answer: Article 324.
You can watch this News18 Broadcast on Gyanesh Kumar to find out more details about his professional background, administrative journey, and his appointment process as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner.