Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed Chief Election Commissioner after a meeting of a three-member committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday (February 17, 2025). He will assume office on Wednesday (February 19, 2025), when the Supreme Court will hear the challenge to a new law under which the selection has been made.

The Law Ministry notified the appointment late on Monday (February 17, 2025). Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi has been appointed an Election Commissioner.

Mr. Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment came even as the Congress asked the government to “adjourn” the meeting of the panel till Wednesday (February 19, 2025) as the case is before the court.

Mr. Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch former Indian Administrative Service officer belonging to the Kerala cadre, retired as Union Cooperation Secretary on January 31, 2024. On March 14, 2024, he was appointed Election Commissioner.

While the Prime Minister heads the selection panel, Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are its members.

Congress sources said Mr. Gandhi left the meeting at the Prime Minister’s official residence, after submitting his objections in writing.