New Delhi: 

The appointment orders read, "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."

Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed chairman of the UPSC, according to a Union Personnel Ministry order. The post of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairman fell vacant after the completion of Preeti Sudan's tenure on April 29. Kumar's appointment was cleared by President Droupadi Murmu, according to the order issued on Tuesday. A 1985-batch retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, Kumar worked as defence secretary from August 23, 2019 to October 31, 2022, according to his service records.

As for his tenure, it said, Kumar's tenure as Chairman, UPSC, will commence from the date he enters upon the office of Chairman, UPSC. "The term of his appointment will be regulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 316(2) of the Constitution of India, and the conditions of service will be governed by UPSC (Members) Regulations, 1969, as amended from time to time," it further said.

The UPSC conducts civil services examinations to select officers for the IAS, Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. It is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of 10 members. At present, posts of two members are vacant in the commission. A UPSC chairman is appointed for a term of six years or until attaining 65 years of age.

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