Gyanesh Kumar is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner. A 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, he has held several key positions in both the Kerala state government and the central government. He became an Election Commissioner in March 2024 and assumed the office of Chief Election Commissioner on February 19, 2025.
Gyanesh Kumar Bio/Wiki
Gyanesh Kumar was born on January 27, 1964, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. As of 2026, he is 62 years old. He completed his schooling in Agra and subsequently earned a B.Tech degree in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur. Later, he pursued studies in Business Finance at ICFAI and Environmental Economics at Harvard University.
After completing his education, Kumar joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as part of the 1988 batch (Kerala cadre). Throughout his long administrative career, he served in various departments and held key positions in both the Kerala state government and the Government of India.
His experience includes serving as the District Collector of Ernakulam, Municipal Commissioner of Kochi, and Managing Director of the Kerala State Cooperative Bank. He also handled portfolios such as Public Works, Finance Resources, and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs within the Kerala government.
Gyanesh Kumar Personal Information
| Full Name | Gyanesh Kumar |
| Current Position | Chief Election Commissioner of India |
| Profession | Civil Servant, Former IAS Officer |
| Date of Birth | 27 January 1964 |
| Age | 62 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Hometown | Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
| College | Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur |
| Educational Qualification | B.Tech at Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur Business Finance at ICFAI Environmental Economics at Harvard University |
| Height (approx.) | Not Known |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Hobbies | Not Known |
| Net Worth | Not Known |
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Gyanesh Kumar Career Information
| IAS Batch | 1988 |
| Cadre | Kerala |
| Election Commissioner | March 2024 |
| Chief Election Commissioner | 19 February 2025 |
| International IDEA Chairship | 2026 |
Gyanesh Kumar Family & Relationship
Gyanesh Kumar comes from a family with a background in public service. His father was a doctor, while his grandfather was a freedom fighter who later served as a principal in Agra. His elder daughter, Medha Rupam, is also an IAS officer. His younger daughter, Abhishri, is an IRS officer.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Name Not Known |
| Father | Name Not Known (Doctor) |
| Mother | Name Not Known |
| Grandfather | Name Not Known (former principal) |
| Children | Elder Daughter – Medha Roopam (IAS officer) Younger Daughter – Abhishri (IRS officer) |
Gyanesh Kumar Career
Gyanesh Kumar joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as a 1988-batch officer of the Kerala cadre. During his tenure in Kerala, he held several key administrative positions, including District Collector of Ernakulam, Municipal Commissioner of Cochin, and Managing Director of the Kerala State Cooperative Bank. He also served in various departments of the Kerala government.
At the central government level, Kumar served as a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and later in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He handled significant responsibilities related to Jammu & Kashmir and Ayodhya. Subsequently, he served as Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Cooperation.
Kumar retired from government service on January 31, 2024. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as an Election Commissioner and assumed office in March 2024. As an Election Commissioner, he was involved in conducting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
On February 19, 2025, Gyanesh Kumar succeeded Rajiv Kumar as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. As CEC, he heads the Election Commission of India, which conducts elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.
In 2026, Kumar also assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Member States of ‘International IDEA,’ an organization dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions and electoral processes globally.
Gyanesh Kumar Awards & Achievements
- In 2024, he was appointed as an Election Commissioner of India and assumed office in March 2024.
- In 2025, Gyanesh Kumar received the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ from IIT Kanpur for his contributions to public administration and electoral governance.
- In 2025, he became the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
- In 2026, he assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA.
Gyanesh Kumar Interesting Facts
- Gyanesh Kumar was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
- He studied Civil Engineering at IIT Kanpur and also pursued Business Finance and Environmental Economics.
- He is a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre.
- He became India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner in 2025.
- In 2025, IIT Kanpur honored him with the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’.
- In 2026, he became the Chairperson of the Council of Member States of International IDEA.
- Before becoming the Chief Election Commissioner, he served as an Election Commissioner of India.
