Anup Chandra Pandey takes over as new Election Commissioner

NEW DELHI: Anup Chandra Pandey today assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner (EC) of India. He joins the Election Commission of India as second Election Commissioner in a three- member body headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

Anup Chandra Pandey has been a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service Officer. During the span of about 37 years of distinguished Government of India service, he has worked in various Ministries & Departments at the Centre and his state cadre of Uttar Pradesh.

Anup Chandra Pandey, a career bureaucrat holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College and a Master’s degree in Materials Management from Panjab University. Anup Chandra who has a keen interest in study of history holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Ancient Indian History from Magadh University.

He is superannuated as Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh in August 2019. Prior to joining the Election Commission of India, served as a Member National Green Tribunal Oversight Committee, Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, he served as Industrial Development Commissioner of the state and successfully organized a mega Investor’s Summit at Lucknow in 2018. He also introduced various policy reforms in the industries and business sector including single window Nivesh Mitra Portal.

As Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Government of Uttar Pradesh. Pandey’s endeavours led to successful designing, planning and implementation of Uttar Pradesh Farm Loan Waiver Scheme.

He has held diverse portfolios during his deputation with the central government.  He served as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour &Employment, Government of India where he represented the country at various international forums like G20 and International Labour Organization. He was also Director in Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Consumer Affairs.

He has also a keen interest in writing and has authored a book titled “Governance in Ancient India” which explores the evolution, nature, scope, functions and all related aspects of ancient Indian Civil Service from the Rig Vedic period to 650 AD.