Gyanesh Kumar Become 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India
Deeksha Dixit18 Feb, 2025
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New Chief Election Commissioner of India will be appointed on February 19, 2025, with Gyanesh Kumar formally assuming this charge, succeeding Rajiv Kumar, who retired on February 18, 2025. His appointment follows the implementation of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which aims to improve the selection process of election commissioners.
New Chief Election Commissioner of India 2025
Gyanesh Kumar is all set to become the New Chief Election Commissioner of India 2025, effective from February 19, 2025. India's new Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, is the first CEC to be appointed under a newly enacted law governing the appointment of members to the Election Commission (EC). He brings years of experience and expertise to his new role as the head of the Election Commission.
26th CEC Gyanesh Kumar Biography
Gyanesh Kumar is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1988 Kerala cadre. He has had a distinguished career in public service. Before being appointed as the CEC, he served as an Election Commissioner since March 2024. Here is a short biography of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India:
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Gyanesh Kumar Biography |
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Position |
26th Chief Election Commissioner of India |
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Date of Appointment |
February 19, 2025 |
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Predecessor |
Rajiv Kumar |
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Date of Birth |
27 January 1964 (Age: 61 as of February 2025) |
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Education |
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Background |
IAS Officer (1988 batch, Kerala cadre) |
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Career Highlights |
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Tenure as CEC |
Until January 26, 2029 |
Appointment Process of Chief Election Commissioner
The appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner was recommended by a selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The committee also included Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023, the CEC and the Election Commissioners (ECs) of India are appointed by the President of India based on recommendations from a Selection Committee. This committee consists of:
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The Prime Minister
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A Cabinet Minister
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The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the single largest opposition party)
The Search Committee, led by the Cabinet Secretary, prepares a list of five potential candidates for the Selection Committee to review and make recommendations from.
New Chief Election Commissioner Tenure
The CEC serves a maximum term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever comes first. Gyanesh Kumar's tenure as the Chief Election Commissioner will last until January 26, 2029. During this period, he will oversee a number of important elections. These include upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Kerala, and Puducherry in 2026.
Removal Process of Chief Election Commissioner
The removal process for the Chief Election Commissioner is the same as that of a Supreme Court Judge and is based on similar grounds. This means that CEC can be removed on the grounds of the proved misbehavior or incapacity by the President on the basis of a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) with a special majority.
In conclusion, Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment will mark a new chapter in the country's electoral process.
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New Chief Election Commissioner of India FAQs
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