Chief Election Commissioners of India List includes the names and tenures of individuals who have headed the Election Commission of India (ECI) since its establishment in 1950. The Chief Election Commissioner plays a crucial role in supervising elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India.
Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, taking office on 21 March 1950. Gyanesh Kumar became the 26th Chief Election Commissioner on 19 February 2025.
Current Chief Election Commissioner of India
Gyanesh Kumar is the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He assumed office on 19 February 2025, succeeding Rajiv Kumar. He is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre.
List of Former Chief Election Commissioners of India
The following table provides the names and tenures of former Chief Election Commissioners of India.
| List of Former Chief Election Commissioners of India | ||
|
S. No. |
Chief Election Commissioner |
Tenure |
|
1 |
Sukumar Sen |
21 March 1950 – 19 December 1958 |
|
2 |
K. V. K. Sundaram |
20 December 1958 – 30 September 1967 |
|
3 |
S. P. Sen Verma |
1 October 1967 – 30 September 1972 |
|
4 |
Dr. Nagendra Singh |
1 October 1972 – 6 February 1973 |
|
5 |
T. Swaminathan |
7 February 1973 – 17 June 1977 |
|
6 |
S. L. Shakdhar |
18 June 1977 – 17 June 1982 |
|
7 |
R. K. Trivedi |
18 June 1982 – 31 December 1985 |
|
8 |
R. V. S. Peri Sastri |
1 January 1986 – 25 November 1990 |
|
9 |
V. S. Ramadevi |
26 November 1990 – 11 December 1990 |
|
10 |
T. N. Seshan |
12 December 1990 – 11 December 1996 |
|
11 |
M. S. Gill |
12 December 1996 – 13 June 2001 |
|
12 |
J. M. Lyngdoh |
14 June 2001 – 7 February 2004 |
|
13 |
T. S. Krishna Murthy |
8 February 2004 – 15 May 2005 |
|
14 |
B. B. Tandon |
16 May 2005 – 29 June 2006 |
|
15 |
N. Gopalaswami |
30 June 2006 – 20 April 2009 |
|
16 |
Navin B. Chawla |
21 April 2009 – 29 July 2010 |
|
17 |
S. Y. Quraishi |
30 July 2010 – 10 June 2012 |
|
18 |
V. S. Sampath |
11 June 2012 – 15 January 2015 |
|
19 |
H. S. Brahma |
16 January 2015 – 18 April 2015 |
|
20 |
Nasim Zaidi |
19 April 2015 – 5 July 2017 |
|
21 |
A. K. Joti |
6 July 2017 – 22 January 2018 |
|
22 |
O. P. Rawat |
23 January 2018 – 1 December 2018 |
|
23 |
Sunil Arora |
2 December 2018 – 12 April 2021 |
|
24 |
Sushil Chandra |
13 April 2021 – 14 May 2022 |
|
25 |
Rajiv Kumar |
15 May 2022 – 18 February 2025 |
List of Former Election Commissioners of India
Election Commissioners are members of the Election Commission of India who assist in supervising and administering electoral processes. The following table lists former Election Commissioners and their tenures.
| List of Former Election Commissioners of India | ||
|
S. No. |
Former Election Commissioner |
Tenure |
|
1 |
V. S. Seigell |
16 October 1989 – 2 January 1990 |
|
2 |
S. S. Dhanoa |
16 October 1989 – 2 January 1990 |
|
3 |
Dr. G. V. G. Krishnamurty |
1 October 1993 – 30 September 1999 |
|
4 |
Ashok Lavasa |
23 January 2018 – 31 August 2020 |
|
5 |
Anup Chandra Pandey |
9 June 2021 – 14 February 2024 |
|
6 |
Arun Goel |
21 November 2022 – 9 March 2024 |
Role and Functions of the Chief Election Commissioner
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) heads the Election Commission of India, a constitutional body responsible for administering elections under the Constitution and applicable laws.
The major functions of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission include:
- Conducting elections: Supervising elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies, as well as the offices of the President and Vice-President.
- Ensuring free and fair elections: Monitoring the electoral process and ensuring compliance with applicable election laws.
- Supervising election machinery: Coordinating election officials and overseeing election-related arrangements.
- Implementing the Model Code of Conduct: Monitoring compliance with the code during elections.
- Maintaining electoral integrity: Promoting transparent, orderly, and credible elections.
Constitutional Articles Related to the Election Commission of India
The Constitution of India establishes the framework for the Election Commission and the conduct of elections.
| Constitutional Articles Related to the Election Commission of India | |
|
Constitutional Article |
Provision |
|
Article 324 |
Provides for the superintendence, direction, and control of elections by the Election Commission. |
|
Article 325 |
Provides for a general electoral roll for every territorial constituency and prohibits exclusion on specified grounds. |
|
Article 326 |
Provides for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on adult suffrage, subject to constitutional provisions. |
|
Article 327 |
Empowers Parliament to make laws relating to elections to legislatures. |
|
Article 329 |
Deals with restrictions on judicial interference in electoral matters. |
Important Facts About Chief Election Commissioners of India
- First Chief Election Commissioner: Sukumar Sen.
- First woman Chief Election Commissioner: V. S. Ramadevi.
- Chief Election Commissioner known for strengthening election enforcement: T. N. Seshan.
- 25th Chief Election Commissioner: Rajiv Kumar.
- 26th Chief Election Commissioner: Gyanesh Kumar.
- Current Chief Election Commissioner: Gyanesh Kumar, who assumed office on 19 February 2025.
Last updated on Oct, 2026
→ UPSC 2027 Notification will be released on 13 January 2027 at upsconline.nic.in.
→ Check Nobel Prize 2026 Winners List here.
→ Download PIB PRiSM Monthly Magazine 2026 here.
→ Check UPSC Monthly Current Affairs Magazine The Recitals here.
→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus here.
→ Download UPSC Model Answers for Mains 2026
→ UPSC Mains Question Paper 2026 is out now for Essay & GS Paper 1, 2, 3 & 4.
→ UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.
→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2027 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.
→ Join Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mentorship Program 2027 for personalized guidance, strategy planning, and one-to-one support from experienced mentors.
→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.
→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.
→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India
Chief Election Commissioners of India FAQs
Q1. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?+
Q2. Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of India?+
Q3. Who was the first woman Chief Election Commissioner of India?+
Q4. Who was the Chief Election Commissioner before Gyanesh Kumar?+
Q5. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Election Commission of India?+
Q6. What is the difference between the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners?+
Tags: chief election commissioners chief election commissioners of india
