New Delhi, May 14 -- Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar has been appointed chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), according to an official order issued by the government of India. His appointment has been cleared by President Droupadi Murmu.

Kumar, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Kerala cadre from the 1985 batch, succeeded Preeti Sudan, a former Union Health Secretary and 1983 batch IAS officer whose tenure as the UPSC chairperson ended on April 29 this year. She was appointed on August 1, 2025.

"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," the order issued by the Union Personnel Mini...