UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar and his educational qualification: How an IITian with a US doctorate rose to redefine civil service leadership

In the quiet theatre of governance, where power rarely raises its voice but always leaves a mark, a new chapter has opened. Dr Ajay Kumar, the man who once helmed India's defence bureaucracy with calibrated precision, now steps into the role of Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission—an institution that crafts the future custodians of the Republic.The announcement, made on May 13, 2025, by the Department of Personnel and Training, comes with the quiet gravity such transitions deserve. Preeti Sudan exits, and Kumar—engineer, economist, strategist—enters. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur, with a PhD from the University of Minnesota, and a distinguished innings in the Kerala cadre of the IAS, Kumar has never been one to merely occupy a post; he transforms it.As Defence Secretary, he didn’t just manage files—he moved tectonic plates. From laying the foundation for the Chief of Defence Staff to anchoring the Atmanirbhar Bharat defence narrative, Kumar's tenure rewrote the lexicon of military modernisation.

His appointment to UPSC isn’t just an administrative shuffle—it’s a message that merit must meet vision. That the next generation of civil servants will be shaped under the watch of a man who understands both the weight of service and the value of reform.

Kerala cadre to KELTRON: Early Years of governance innovation

Born on October 2, 1962, Ajay Kumar’s journey from the classrooms of IIT Kanpur to the corridors of policy power reads like a blueprint for the modern technocrat. A BTech in Electrical Engineering from India’s premier institute was only the beginning.

He soon added academic heft with a Master’s in Applied Economics and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota—credentials that would come to define his multidisciplinary approach to governance.Kumar entered the Indian Administrative Service in 1985, assigned to the Kerala cadre, where he quickly built a reputation for marrying technology with public service. As Principal Secretary for Information Technology, he steered Kerala’s early digital initiatives, later heading KELTRON as Managing Director.

At a time when most states were still grappling with basic infrastructure, Kumar was already scripting Kerala’s tech leap, leveraging his engineering precision and economic acumen to modernize public systems.

From defence corridors to digital India: The reformer in action

Ajay Kumar’s tenure as Defence Secretary from 2019 to 2022 is perhaps the most defining chapter of his career. As the longest-serving Defence Secretary, he spearheaded transformative reforms that reshaped India’s defence sector.

Under his leadership, landmark initiatives like the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, and the Agniveer scheme were implemented, fortifying India’s defence capabilities.In addition to his defence reforms, Kumar played a crucial role in advancing India’s digital ecosystem. As the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), he was a key player in the implementation of the Digital India Programme.

His work in promoting initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, MyGov, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) fundamentally transformed India’s digital infrastructure, making it more accessible, transparent, and efficient.Kumar’s innovative approach extended to the defence industry’s ecosystem, where he led the corporatization of the Ordnance Factories Board, a 200-year-old institution that employed over 80,000 workers.

He also established the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme, fostering a startup ecosystem within India’s defense sector, and worked towards enhancing the performance of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Dr. Ajay Kumar beyond office: Act II of the strategist

Even after his retirement, Ajay Kumar continued to influence key sectors through his entrepreneurial ventures and advisory roles. He founded MGF-Kavachh, a venture capital fund dedicated to supporting startups in aerospace and deep tech, raising ₹250 crore for critical technology innovations. Kumar’s expertise also extended to the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), where he served as an advisor, and to Sify, where he was a Director on the Board.Kumar is also a distinguished academic and writer. He is a visiting professor at IIT Kanpur and holds a non-resident Senior Fellow position at Carnegie India. His insightful commentary on national and international affairs is published regularly in leading Indian dailies, where he shares his deep understanding of governance, technology, and strategic policy.

A legacy of service and vision

Ajay Kumar’s career trajectory is not just one of personal achievement but also of visionary leadership that has impacted India’s defence, technology, and administrative sectors.

His vast experience, spanning both government and private sectors, coupled with his academic credentials, has positioned him as a unique leader capable of shaping the future of civil services in India.As he takes on the mantle of UPSC Chairman, his legacy of transformative governance and national service will undoubtedly influence the Commission’s future trajectory. Ajay Kumar’s story is a powerful reminder of the profound impact that dedicated public servants can have on a nation’s development—whether through technological advancements, defense reforms, or the cultivation of future leaders. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants and citizens alike, proving that true leadership is grounded in service, innovation, and a relentless drive for national progress.