List of Chief Election Commissioners of India

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is the head of the Election Commission of India. Since the establishment of the Election Commission on 25 January 1950, several Chief Election Commissioners have headed the institution and overseen India’s electoral process.

Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India. He served from 21 March 1950 to 19 December 1958 and supervised India’s first two general elections held in 1951–52 and 1957.

List of Chief Election Commissioners of India

Who Was the First Chief Election Commissioner of India?

Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India.

He assumed office on 21 March 1950 and served until 19 December 1958. He supervised India’s first general election held in 1951–52 and the second general election held in 1957.

Sukumar Sen was therefore the CEC during the formative years of India’s electoral democracy.

Who is the Current Chief Election Commissioner of India?

Gyanesh Kumar is the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He assumed charge on 19 February 2025.

He succeeded Rajiv Kumar, who served as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner from 15 May 2022 to 18 February 2025.

When Did the Election Commission Become a Three-Member Body?

This is an important topic for UPSC Prelims because the Election Commission was not always a multi-member body.

Originally a Single-Member Commission

When the Election Commission of India was established on 25 January 1950, it consisted only of the Chief Election Commissioner.

For several decades, the Election Commission functioned as a single-member body headed by the CEC.

First Appointment of Two Additional Election Commissioners: 1989

For the first time, two additional Election Commissioners were appointed on 16 October 1989.

The two Election Commissioners were:

• V. S. Seigell
• S. S. Dhanoa

This created a three-member Election Commission consisting of the CEC and two Election Commissioners.

However, this arrangement was short-lived. The additional commissioners’ tenure ended in early January 1990, and the Commission reverted to a single-member structure.

Multi-Member Election Commission Since 1 October 1993

Two additional Election Commissioners were appointed again on 1 October 1993.

Since then, the Election Commission has functioned as a multi-member body.

The present structure consists of:

• One Chief Election Commissioner
• Two Election Commissioners

Thus, for UPSC purposes, remember the distinction:

UPSC Shortcut: The Election Commission was originally a single-member body. A three-member structure was briefly introduced in 1989 and has been in continuous operation since 1 October 1993.

How Does a Multi-Member Election Commission Take Decisions?

When the Election Commission consists of the CEC and other Election Commissioners, all Election Commissioners have equal say in decision-making.

Decisions are taken by majority where there is a difference of opinion.

Therefore, the CEC does not possess an absolute veto over the decisions of the other Election Commissioners merely because he or she is the Chairman of the Commission.

This principle is particularly important for understanding the functioning of a multi-member Election Commission.

Important UPSC Facts About Chief Election Commissioners

• First CEC: Sukumar Sen
• First CEC to serve after the Constitution came into force: Sukumar Sen
• First CEC’s tenure: 21 March 1950 – 19 December 1958
• Current CEC: Gyanesh Kumar
• Current CEC’s number: 26th CEC
• Election Commission established: 25 January 1950
• First two additional Election Commissioners appointed: 16 October 1989
• First brief three-member phase: 1989–1990
• Present continuous multi-member structure: From 1 October 1993
• Constitutional provision: Article 324

MCQs on Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commission

Question 1

Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?

1. T. N. Seshan
2. Sukumar Sen
3. K. V. K. Sundaram
4. R. V. S. Peri Sastri

Answer: B. Sukumar Sen

Explanation: Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India. He served from 21 March 1950 to 19 December 1958.

Question 2

Consider the following statements about the Election Commission of India:

1. It was established on 25 January 1950.
2. It was originally a multi-member body consisting of the CEC and two Election Commissioners.
3. Article 324 provides the constitutional basis for the Election Commission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. 1 and 3 only

Explanation: The Election Commission was originally a single-member body headed by the CEC. Two additional Election Commissioners were first appointed only in 1989.

Question 3

Two additional Election Commissioners were first appointed in India in:

1. 1950
2. 1977
3. 1989
4. 1993

Answer: C. 1989

Explanation: Two additional Election Commissioners were appointed for the first time on 16 October 1989.

Question 4

Since when has the present continuous multi-member Election Commission been in operation?

1. 16 October 1989
2. 1 January 1990
3. 1 October 1993
4. 25 January 1950

Answer: C. 1 October 1993

Explanation: Although two additional Election Commissioners were first appointed in 1989, that arrangement was short-lived. Two additional Election Commissioners were appointed again on 1 October 1993, and the multi-member structure has continued since then.

Question 5

Who among the following was the Chief Election Commissioner of India when the Election Commission first became a three-member body in 1989?

1. R. V. S. Peri Sastri
2. T. N. Seshan
3. S. L. Shakdhar
4. V. S. Ramadevi

Answer: A. R. V. S. Peri Sastri

Explanation: R. V. S. Peri Sastri was CEC from 1 January 1986 to 25 November 1990. The first two additional Election Commissioners were appointed during his tenure in October 1989.

Question 6

Which of the following correctly describes the Election Commission of India?

1. It has always been a three-member body.
2. It was originally a single-member body.
3. It became a three-member body permanently in 1989.
4. It became a three-member body only after the 2023 Act.

Answer: B. It was originally a single-member body.

Explanation: The Election Commission originally consisted only of the Chief Election Commissioner. The first two additional Election Commissioners were appointed in 1989, and the present continuous multi-member arrangement began in 1993.

Question 7

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Answer: D. All four

Question 8

Which Article of the Constitution provides the constitutional basis for the Election Commission of India?

1. Article 280
2. Article 324
3. Article 326
4. Article 329

Answer: B. Article 324

Explanation: Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections in the Election Commission.

Question 9

Consider the following statements:

1. The CEC is the Chairman of the Election Commission.
2. All Election Commissioners have equal say in the decision-making of the Commission.
3. The CEC has an absolute veto over the decisions of other Election Commissioners.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. 1 and 2 only

Explanation: The CEC is the Chairman of the Commission, but all Election Commissioners have equal say in decision-making. Where there is a difference of opinion, decisions are taken by majority.

Question 10

Which of the following Chief Election Commissioners served for the longest period among the following?

1. Sukumar Sen
2. K. V. K. Sundaram
3. T. N. Seshan
4. R. V. S. Peri Sastri

Answer: B. K. V. K. Sundaram

Explanation: K. V. K. Sundaram served from 20 December 1958 to 30 September 1967, a tenure of nearly nine years.

Question 11

Who was the Chief Election Commissioner immediately before Gyanesh Kumar?

1. Sushil Chandra
2. Sunil Arora
3. Rajiv Kumar
4. O. P. Rawat

Answer: C. Rajiv Kumar

Question 12

Which of the following statements regarding the multi-member Election Commission is correct?

1. It was created for the first time in 1993.
2. It was first introduced in 1989 and has been continuously operational since 1993.
3. It was introduced by the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
4. It was created by the 2023 CEC Act.

Answer: B. It was first introduced in 1989 and has been continuously operational since 1993.

UPSC Prelims Quick Revision

Important Takeaway for UPSC Aspirants

Remember the following chronology:

1950 → Single-member Election Commission

1989 → First appointment of two additional Election Commissioners

1990 → Multi-member experiment temporarily ends

1 October 1993 → Two additional Election Commissioners appointed again

1993 onwards → Continuous multi-member Election Commission

2025 → Gyanesh Kumar becomes the 26th Chief Election Commissioner