Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. His tenure will be from February 18, 2025, to January 26, 2029.

A 1988 batch IAS officer, Gyanesh Kumar, who is currently serving as an Election Commissioner, will take over the responsibility of the CEC today. He succeeds Rajeev Kumar, the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner who has retired.

Gyanesh Kumar becomes the first CEC to be appointed under the new law. The decision regarding his appointment was made during a meeting held on February 17, 2025, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

The recommendation for the appointment was made by the panel consisting of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Leader of Opposition.