Former Finance Secretary and retired IAS officer Rajiv Kumar took charge as Election Commissioner on Tuesday. He is the third member to join the panel. He is preceded by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra is present on the panel.

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice had on August 21 approved the appointment of Rajiv Kumar to the post.

Earlier, Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigned from his post, he will take over as Vice President in Asian Development Bank. Ashok Lavasa was appointed Election Commissioner in January 2018. In the history of the Election Commission, Lavasa was the second such commissioner who had to resign before completing his term.

Rajiv Kumar, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre who is interested in Indian classical and devotional music, took charge before Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra.

Born on 19 February 1960, Rajiv Kumar served in various ministries at the Center and Bihar and Jharkhand in various positions in his state cadre for more than 36 years. He has obtained degrees in BSc, LLB, PGDM, MA, and Public Policy.

Rajiv Kumar has long experience in the social sector, environment, and forest, human resources, finance, and banking sectors.

 Rajiv Kumar retired from the post of Union Finance Secretary in February 2020. He then also served as the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board from April 2020 to August 31, 2020.