Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS) officer Satish Kumar has been appointed as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Railway Board, officials announced on Tuesday (August 27). Kumar is the first person from the Scheduled Castes to hold this position in the board’s history, according to senior Railway Board officials.
Jaya Varma Sinha, the current chairperson and CEO, will retire on August 31. Kumar’s appointment will take effect on September 1.
A government order stated that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Kumar’s promotion from his current role.
“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,” a govt order said.
His appointment will be at the apex pay scale, level 17, as per the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Who is Satish Kumar?
Kumar, a distinguished officer from the 1986 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has made substantial contributions to Indian Railways over his impressive 34-year career, according to the Railway Board.
Kumar started his career with Indian Railways in March 1988. Over the years, he has held key positions across various zones and divisions, contributing to innovations, efficiency, and safety enhancements within the railway system.
His early roles included working in the Jhansi Division of the former Central Railway and at the Diesel Locomotive Works (BLW) in Varanasi, where he developed his expertise in locomotive engineering and maintenance.
Kumar has made a notable contribution with his development of the Fog Safe Device, a key innovation that ensures safe train operations in foggy conditions. Railway officials have praised his efforts to enhance this technology, which has garnered recognition and appreciation from various sources.
From April 2017 to April 2019, Kumar served as the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) for the Lucknow Division of Northern Railway. Prior to his appointment as General Manager of North Central Railway, he was the Senior Deputy General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer at North Western Railway, Jaipur.