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{{Short description|Chairman of Union Public Service Commission}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ajay Kumar
| image = Dr. Ajay Kumar-Former Defence Secretary of India.png
| caption = Kumar in 2023
| birth_place = Uttar Pradesh
| birth_date = 02/10/1962
| office = [[Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission]]
| predecessor = [[Preeti Sudan]]
| successor = Incumbent
| term_start = 15 May 2025
| term_end =
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| office1 = 38th [[Defence Secretary (India)|Defence Secretary of India]]
| predecessor1 = [[Sanjay Mitra (civil servant)|Sanjay Mitra]]
| successor1 = [[Giridhar Aramane]]
| appointer1 = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| term_start1 = 23 August 2019
| term_end1 = 31 October 2022
| minister1 = [[Rajnath Singh]]
| office2 = 39th Defence Production Secretary of India
| predecessor2 = Ashok Kumar
| successor2 = Subhash Chandra, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] ([[Karnataka]], 1986)
| appointer2 = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| term_start2 = 1 December 2017
| term_end2 = 23 August 2019
| minister2 = [[Nirmala Sitharaman]]
| alma_mater = [[Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur|IIT Kanpur]] ([[B.Tech]])<br />[[University of Minnesota]] ([[M.S.|MS]], [[PhD]])
| spouse =
| occupation = [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officer]]
| profession = [[Civil servant]]
| native_name =
| awards =
}}

'''Ajay Kumar''' is an Indian civil servant who currently serves as the Chairperson of the [[Union Public Service Commission]] (UPSC). A 1985-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service, he earlier served as the 38th [[Defence Secretary of India]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-31 |title=Dr Ajay Kumar Retires as Defence Secretary: An Illustrious Career Comes to End {{!}} APAC News Network |url=https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2022/10/dr-ajay-kumar-retires-as-defence-secretary-an-illustrious-career-comes-to-end/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> (2019–2022), Defence Production Secretary (2017–2019), and held senior roles in the [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]], where he contributed to the [[Digital India]] programme including [[Unified Payments Interface]], [[Aadhaar]], [[MyGov.in]], [[Government e Marketplace]] and [[Jeevan Pramaan]].. He is an alumnus of the [[IIT Kanpur]] and the [[University of Minnesota]].

Kumar has been associated with significant national reforms, including defence production indigenization, the establishment of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), corporatization of the Ordnance Factories Board, and the launch of the Agniveer recruitment scheme. Beyond government service, he has engaged with academia, policy think-tanks, and startup ecosystems.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

== Early life and education ==
Ajay Kumar was born in Jalandhar, Punjab. He earned his [[Bachelor of Technology]] in Electrical Engineering from the [[Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ajay Kumar — Executive Sheet |url=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=14641&PageId= |access-date=29 October 2018 |website=Department of Personnel and Training, [[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions]], [[Government of India]]}}</ref> He pursued postgraduate studies in [[development economics]] and later obtained a PhD in [[business administration]] from the [[Carlson School of Management]] at the University of Minnesota.<ref name=":0" /> He was awarded two fellowships by the [[University of Minnesota]] and has been recognized as a distinguished alumnus by [[IIT Kanpur]].<ref name="The Times of India">{{Cite news |date=2025-05-14 |title=UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar and his educational qualification: How an IITian with a US doctorate rose to redefine civil service leadership |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/upsc-chairman-ajay-kumar-and-his-educational-qualification-how-an-iitian-with-a-us-doctorate-rose-to-redefine-civil-service-leadership/articleshow/121155026.cms |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Modak |first=Susmita |date=2025-04-06 |title=Hindu Groups Protest Loudspeaker Removal Before Ram Navami Procession In Kanpur |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/hindu-groups-protest-loudspeaker-removal-before-ram-navami-procession-in-kanpur-960404 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, he was also conferred an honorary doctorate by Amity University.

== Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (2025–present) ==

On 13 May 2025, Kumar was appointed Chairperson of the UPSC by the President of India under Article 316(1) of the Constitution. He assumed office on 15 May 2025, with the oath administered by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), the senior-most member of the Commission. As Chairperson, Kumar has been associated with efforts to modernize examination processes and incorporate technology-driven reforms.<ref name="Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar appointed UPSC chairman">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=14 May 2025 |title=Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar appointed UPSC chairman |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-appointed-upsc-chairman/article69573932.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516115511/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-appointed-upsc-chairman/article69573932.ece |archive-date=16 May 2025 |access-date=16 May 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="The Times of India"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-14 |title=Who is Ajay Kumar? Meet new UPSC Chairman known for his transformative defence reforms {{!}} Today News |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/who-is-ajay-kumar-meet-new-upsc-chairman-known-for-his-transformative-defence-reforms-11747190860525.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514041218/https://www.livemint.com/news/who-is-ajay-kumar-meet-new-upsc-chairman-known-for-his-transformative-defence-reforms-11747190860525.html |archive-date=14 May 2025 |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=mint |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=कौन हैं Ajay Kumar, जिन्हें मिली UPSC की कमान, IIT से बीटेक, अमेरिका से PhD |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/career/jobs-upsc-chairman-who-is-ajay-kumar-former-defence-secretary-done-btech-from-iit-kanpur-master-phd-degree-from-america-ws-kl-9239466.html |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=News18 हिंदी |language=hi}}</ref>

Since assuming office, Ajay Kumar has introduced forward-leaning reforms aimed at enhancing outreach, institutional coordination, and procedural modernization at UPSC. Under his Chairperson, UPSC launched a new service in to deliver domain-specific recruitment notifications directly to universities, professional bodies, and recognized institutions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-08-05 |title=UPSC plans to send recruitment alerts to institutions via email |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vacancies-unfilled-upsc-to-alert-institutions-about-government-jobs/article69898562.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

He also spearheaded to establish a Centre of Excellence as a national repository for standard operating procedures, innovations, and best practices from UPSC and State PSCs, particularly as part of the commission’s centenary celebration in 2025–26.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Trust Of India |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/upsc-to-establish-centre-of-excellence-as-repository-of-best-practices/2882404 |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=www.ptinews.com}}</ref>

== Career in Indian Administrative Service ==

{{Empty section|date=April 2026}}

== Early postings ==
Kumar joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1985. He served in various capacities in the state of Kerala before being deputed to central government positions. His state assignemts includes as [[Principal secretary (India)|Principal Secretary]] (Information Technology), managing director of the [[Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation]], Secretary (Industries), managing director of the Kerala State Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, general manager in the [[Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation]] and as the [[District collector (India)|district magistrate and collector]] of the Palghat (now [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]]) [[List of districts in Kerala|district]] among others.

== Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ==
Kumar served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and IT and as Director General of the [[National Informatics Centre]]. He was closely associated with the implementation of the Digital India programme, including initiatives such as Unified Payments Interface, Aadhaar, MyGov.in, Government e-Marketplace, and Jeevan Pramaan. He also oversaw the creation of the Electronics Development Fund.

== Defence Production Secretary (2017–2019) ==
In December 2017, Kumar was appointed Defence Production Secretary. He advanced policies to encourage indigenization of defence manufacturing and promoted startups in defence technologies.<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1164874644563750912 |user=SpokespersonMoD |title=New Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Subhash Chandra welcoming Defence Secretary @drajaykumar_ias who assumed office today. |date=2019-08-23}}</ref> Kumar's work involved setting up the defence startup ecosystem through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Defence Ministry's iDEX-DIO signs its 100th innovation contract |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/defence-ministry-idex-dio-signs-innovation-contract-1980358-2022-07-26 |access-date=2023-11-08 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2018 |title=ACC appointments |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=173928 |access-date=29 October 2018 |website=[[Press Information Bureau]], [[Government of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 November 2017 |title=Ajay Kumar appointed secretary, defence production |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ajay-kumar-appointed-secretary-defence-production/articleshow/61841813.cms |access-date=29 October 2018 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |location=[[New Delhi]] |oclc=61311680 |agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2017 |others=BW Online Bureau |title=Ajay Kumar Appointed Secretary, Defence Production |url=http://www.businessworld.in/article/Ajay-Kumar-Appointed-Secretary-Defence-Production/28-11-2017-133040/ |access-date=29 October 2018 |work=[[Businessworld|BW Businessworld]]}}</ref>

== Defence Secretary of India (2019–2022) ==
Appointed as Defence Secretary in August 2019, Kumar became the longest-serving officer in that role in recent years.<ref name="ACC appointments">{{cite web |date=2019-08-21 |title=ACC appointments |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=192758 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}</ref><ref name="Defence Secretary @drajaykumar_ias">{{cite tweet |number=1164874563630407680 |user=SpokespersonMoD |title=Defence Secretary @drajaykumar_ias felicitating his predecessor Shri Sanjay Mitra at his farewell in New Delhi, today. |date=2019-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-15 |title=First Rafale delivery in September 2019 as per schedule: Ajay Kumar |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/first-rafale-delivery-in-september-2019-as-per-schedule-ajay-kumar/articleshow/70206461.cms |access-date=2019-11-11 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roche |first=Elizabeth |date=2019-10-08 |title=India takes delivery of first Rafale fighter jet |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-takes-delivery-of-first-rafale-fighter-jet-11570554089094.html |access-date=2019-11-11 |website=Mint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar assigned additional charge of Secretary, Department of Defence Production |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-assigned-additional-charge-of-secretary-department-of-defence-production20211130231255/ |access-date=2021-12-05 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref> Key reforms during his tenure included:

* Corporatization of the 200-year-old Ordnance Factories Board into seven defence public sector undertakings.
* Establishment of the office of the Chief of Defence Staff in 2020.
* Introduction of the Agniveer scheme in 2022.
* Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship Saksham and launch of INS Vagsheer, the sixth Scorpène-class submarine under Project-75.
* Policy initiatives supporting AI, drones, space technologies, and enhanced R&D in defence.

== iDEX, Indigenization, and Defence Tech Reforms (2017–2022) ==
During his tenure as Defence Production Secretary and later as Defence Secretary, Kumar played a central role in shaping India’s defence innovation and indigenization ecosystem. He was instrumental in establishing the ''Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)'' framework,<ref name=":1" /> which created a formal mechanism for startups, MSMEs, and academic institutions to collaborate with the armed forces on problem statements identified by the services. By 2022, iDEX had facilitated over 100 innovation contracts across domains such as unmanned aerial systems, secure communications, and advanced materials.

Kumar’s policy direction was closely aligned with the ''Atmanirbhar Bharat'' initiative, focusing on reducing defence import dependency and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic industry. He introduced reforms to increase private sector participation, streamline procurement procedures, and revise offset guidelines. His efforts also included improving the efficiency of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), linking them with research-driven projects and performance monitoring frameworks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETGovernment.com |title=Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar commissions offshore patrol vessel ICGS Saksham at Goa port - ET Government |url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/smart-infra/defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-commissions-offshore-patrol-vessel-icgs-saksham-at-goa-port/90304364 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=ETGovernment.com |language=en}}</ref>

As Defence Secretary, he oversaw the corporatization of the 200-year-old Ordnance Factories Board into seven new DPSUs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETGovernment.com |title=Corporatization propels Defence PSUs into profit making companies with Rs 8400 crore turnover in first 6 months - ET Government |url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/governance/corporatization-propels-defence-psus-into-profit-making-companies-with-rs-8400-crore-turnover-in-first-6-months/91231259 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=ETGovernment.com |language=en}}</ref> He also supported capability development in cyber, space, and underwater warfare, while promoting increased R&D allocations to strengthen long-term technological self-reliance. Key milestones during his tenure included the commissioning of the Indian Coast Guard Ship ''Saksham'' and the launch of ''INS Vagsheer'', the sixth Scorpène-class submarine under Project-75.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-20 |title=India gets its sixth Scorpene-class submarine 'INS Vagsheer' in Mumbai |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-gets-its-sixth-scorpene-class-submarine-ins-vagsheer-in-mumbai-101650451042402.html |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Digital India and Innovation Initiatives ==
In his assignments with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Kumar contributed significantly to the implementation and scaling of the ''Digital India'' programme. He was closely associated with the launch and expansion of citizen-centric platforms such as ''MyGov'', ''Government e-Marketplace (GeM)'', ''Jeevan Pramaan'', and the integration of Aadhaar authentication into multiple service delivery frameworks.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

He also initiated the ''Electronics Development Fund (EDF)'' ''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srivastava |first=Moulishree |date=2016-02-13 |title=Govt to launch Electronics Development Fund on Monday |url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/FUkeCFKwLmjtZTK6yv2CMM/Govt-to-launch-Electronics-Development-Fund-on-Monday.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619155414/http://www.livemint.com/Industry/FUkeCFKwLmjtZTK6yv2CMM/Govt-to-launch-Electronics-Development-Fund-on-Monday.html |archive-date=19 June 2017 |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=livemint.com |url-status=live }}</ref>'', a policy-driven venture capital support mechanism designed to strengthen India’s technology startup ecosystem. The fund provided risk capital to early-stage companies and helped catalyze domestic innovation in electronics and IT hardware.

Beyond programme delivery, Kumar worked on policy frameworks for emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, drones, and space applications. His initiatives supported the creation of a more innovation-friendly ecosystem, bridging government priorities with private sector capacity and academic expertise.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

== Startups, advisory and academic roles ==
Following his tenure in the Ministry of Defence, Kumar founded MGF-Kavachh, a SEBI-approved ₹250 crore venture capital fund <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-11 |title=Former defence secretary Ajay Kumar enters VC play with Kavachh, a fund for defence, deeptech startups |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/former-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-enters-vc-play-with-kavachh-a-fund-for-defence-deeptech-startups-436741-2024-07-11 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mukul |first=Pranav |date=2024-07-08 |title=Former defence secretary Ajay Kumar joins VC play with early-stage fund |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/ex-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-joins-vc-play-with-early-stage-fund/articleshow/111559113.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> supporting startups in defence, aerospace, and deep tech. He serves as an advisor to the board of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=India TV News |last2=News |first2=India TV |date=2023-11-15 |title=Former Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar appointed as advisor to USISPF board |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/former-indian-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-appointed-as-advisor-to-usispf-board-meit-latest-updates-2023-11-15-902840 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref> and sits on the board of [[Sify]]. He is also a Distinguished Visiting Professor at [[IIT Kanpur]] and a non-resident Senior Fellow at Carnegie India.

== Writing and thought leadership ==
Kumar is a regular columnist for national dailies and contributes a monthly column titled 'Off the Grid' in [[Business Standard]], writing on governance, technology, and policy issues.

Kumar is the author of AI Nation: Bharat’s Path to AI Power, a book on India’s approach to artificial intelligence, computational infrastructure, cybersecurity, and information warfare. In the book, he advocates a resource-efficient “Bharat Compute Strategy” and highlights the role of AI in addressing emerging cybersecurity and misinformation challenges. <ref>{{Cite web |title=AI Nation book review: A blueprint for India's path to AI power |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2026/02/21/ai-nation-book-review-a-blueprint-for-india-path-to-ai-power.html |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=World |first=India's |date=2026-04-06 |title=From Digital India to AI Nation: Ajay Kumar on the Next State Transformation {{!}} India's World |url=https://indiasworld.in/from-digital-india-to-ai-nation-ajay-kumar-on-the-next-state-transformation/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Honours and awards ==
[[File:Dr._Ajay_Kumar_in_an_award_ceremony.jpg|thumb|Kumar in convocation ceremony]]
He received distinguished Alumni award from [[Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur]] in 2019 for the entrepreneurship excellence work.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reference at www.uniindia.com |url=http://www.uniindia.com/iit-kanpur-announces-2019-alumni-award-winners-two-new-awards-instituted/north/news/1741754.html}}</ref> Kumar oversaw the creation of an Electronics Development Fund, which focuses on developing technology start-ups in defence sector.<ref>{{cite web |title=MY BRAND BOOK Dr. Ajay Kumar, Additional Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Telecom and IT, GoI |url=https://www.mybrandbook.co.in/redirect.php?p=3121}}</ref>

Ajay Kumar was named one of the top-50 effective bureaucrats in the year 2019 in a survey conducted by Asia Post for adhering to the cardinal principles of civil service that is professionalism, anonymity, integrity and neutrality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 October 2019 |title=What makes Dr Ajay Kumar an IAS with a difference? » PSU WATCH | Latest PSU News, PSU News, Business News, Market News, PSU Privatization |url=https://psuwatch.com/what-makes-dr-ajay-kumar-an-ias-with-a-difference/ |access-date=2021-12-30 |website=psuwatch.com}}</ref>

* '''1994''' – Awarded the ''Silver Elephant'' medallion by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, the highest national award of the organization, in recognition of service to the scouting movement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETGovernment.com |title=Former Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar assumes charge as Chairman, Union Public Service Commission - ET Government |url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/governance/former-defence-secretary-ajay-kumar-assumes-charge-as-chairman-union-public-service-commission/121184929 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=ETGovernment.com |language=en}}</ref>
* '''2012''' – Conferred the ''Electronics Leader of the Year'' award for his contribution to the development and promotion of the electronics industry in India <ref>{{Cite news |last=site-admin |date=2013-03-19 |title=EFY Felicitates Dr. Ajay Kumar as the Electronics Leader of the Year - EFY Group |url=https://efy.in/whats-newefy/efy-felicitates-dr-ajay-kumar-as-the-electronics-leader-of-the-year/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124022753/https://efy.in/whats-newefy/efy-felicitates-dr-ajay-kumar-as-the-electronics-leader-of-the-year/ |archive-date=24 January 2025 |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=EFY Group |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''2015''' – The ''Technovation Sarabhai Award'' from the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) for excellence in driving innovation and indigenous technology development in the electronics sector.
* '''2017''' – ''Champion of Change'' by the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) for his policy leadership and support for the Indian electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
* '''2019''' - Awarded Honorary Doctorate by [[Amity University, Noida]]
* '''2019''' - Top 50 effective bureaucrats by Asia Post
* '''2019''' - Distinguished Alumni, [[IIT Kanpur]]
* '''2021''' - Fellow of [[Indian National Academy of Engineering]] in 2021

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{URL|1=https://supremo.nic.in/ERSheetHtml.aspx?OffIDErhtml=14641&PageId=|2=Executive record sheet as maintained by Department of Personnel and Training in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension of Government of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Ajay}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:IIT Kanpur alumni]]
[[Category:University of Minnesota alumni]]
[[Category:Carlson School of Management alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Administrative Service officers]]
[[Category:People from Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Defence secretaries of India]]
[[Category:District magistrate]]

Ajay Kumar civil servant - Revision history

QWLDesiree at 06:03, 8 May 2026