Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) officer Satish Kumar has been appointed as the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Railway Board. His appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first individual from the Scheduled Caste or Dalit community to be selected for this position.
Kumar's tenure is slated to commence on September 1, when he will replace the incumbent chairperson and CEO of the board, Jaya Varma Sinha, who will be retiring on August 31.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Shri Satish Kumar, Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), Member (Traction & Rolling Stock), Railway Board to the post of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Railway Board,” an order from the department of personnel & training (DoPT) reads.
Kumar, a notable officer from the 1986 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has made remarkable contributions to Indian Railways over a distinguished career spanning more than 34 years, as acknowledged by the Railway Board.
"On November 8, 2022, he took charge as the General Manager of North Central Railway, Prayagraj, marking another milestone in his journey of public service," an official from the Board was quoted by news agency PTI in its report.
"His educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements; he holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, and has further enhanced his knowledge with a Post Graduate Diploma in Operation Management and Cyber Law from Indira Gandhi National Open University," he said.
Kumar embarked on his career with Indian Railways in March 1988 and has since held various pivotal posts across multiple zones and divisions. Throughout his tenure, he has been instrumental in driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and implementing critical safety improvements within the railway system.
