New Delhi: The President today appointed the senior-most Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission (CEC) of India.
Kumar will assume the charge of the office of the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from May 15, 2022. The present CECSushil Chandra will demit the Office of the Chief Election Commissioner on May 14, 2022, the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice, stated today.
Kumar took charge as Election Commissioner in ECI on 1st September 2020. Prior to assuming charge in Election Commission, he was the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board.
Born on February 19, 1960, Rajiv acquired academic degrees of B.SC, LL.B, PGDM and MA in Public Policy.
An officer of the Indian Administrative Service of Bihar/Jharkhand cadre 1984 batch, he was superannuated from the Indian Administrative Service in February 2020. He worked in various ministries at the Centre and State cadre across Social Sector, Environment & Forests, Human Resources, Finance and Banking sector.
During his tenure as Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary, Department of Financial Services to GOI, (September 2017 – February 2020), he had the mandate to look after Banking, Insurance and Pension Reforms.
Kumar had also been Director, Central Board of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), SBI, NABARD; Member, Economic Intelligence Council (EIC); Member, Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC); Member, Bank Board Bureau (BBB); Member, Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee (FSRASC), Civil services Board among many other such Boards and Committees. He was also instrumental in conceiving and implementing mega Mergers and Acquisitions in the financial sector.
Kumar was also instrumental in streamlining of National Pension System (NPS) which benefitted approximately 18 lakh Central government employees. He was also a member of the Taskforce for restructuring of NITI Aayog. On the basis of the report, the present structure of NITI Aayog was approved.
He had also worked as Director, Primary Education, Bihar; Director Industries, Bihar; Deputy Commissioner, District Development Commissioner, ADM (Law & Order) and SDM.
– global bihari bureau
