Who Is Gyanesh Kumar? ‘Kahwa Man’ Assumes Charge as 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India

Gyanesh Kumar today (February 19) assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) in pursuance of the Ministry of Law & Justice Gazette notification. In his message to the voters, Kumar said that the first step in nation-building is voting, and every citizen of India who has completed 18 years of age should become an elector and always vote.

Gyanesh Kumar said that in accordance with the Constitution of India and the electoral Laws, Rules, and Instructions issued therein, the Election Commission was, is, and will always be with the voters. While speaking to the news agency ANI, Kumar said that the first step in building a nation is voting. He said every Indian citizen over 18 should become a voter and always vote. 

#WATCH | Delhi: After taking charge, newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, "First step for nation building is voting. Therefore, every citizen of India who has completed 18 years of age should become an elector and should always vote. In accordance with… pic.twitter.com/sSvZKSgN2Y

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Who Is Gyanesh Kumar?

Gyanesh Kumar is known by his nickname ‘Kahwa Man’ among journalists in Delhi's North Block due to his welcoming nature and greeting reporters with a sweet smile. Kumar is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre.

The 61-year-old newly appointed CEC had held several key positions in the Indian government throughout his career. Before becoming chief of India's election body as one of its commissioners, he retired as Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, his last role in government service. According to the Indian Express, this was the second portfolio he held under Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 

Gyanesh Kumar today assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India in pursuance of the Ministry of Law & Justice Gazette notification dated 17.02.2025. After assuming charge as CEC, Shri Gyanesh Kumar in his message to the voters said that the first step for… pic.twitter.com/9o8au8xDho

— ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2025

Kumar is part of drafting a bill for the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which separated J&K into two Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh, in August 2019. He was also part of the committee for forming Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and was involved in matters, including the Supreme Court case on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Also Read | LoP Rahul Gandhi criticises govt over CEC appointment, submits dissent note.

Gyanesh Kumar Education

61-year-old Kumar completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He also studied Business Finance from the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (CFAI) and Environmental Economics from Harvard University.

Gyanesh Kumar will announce upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar later this year and in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu in 2026.