New Delhi, May 14 -- Former Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), according to an official order issued by the Union Personnel Ministry.

The position became vacant following the retirement of Preeti Sudan on April 29. President Droupadi Murmu approved Kumar's appointment.

Dr. Kumar, a retired 1985-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, served as the Defence Secretary from August 23, 2019, to October 31, 2022.

The UPSC is responsible for conducting the country's prestigious civil services examinations, which select officers for services such as the IAS, IPS, and IFS. The Commission is composed of a chairman and can have up to...