The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Satish Kumar as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Railway Board, starting September 1, 2024. Kumar will hold the position until his superannuation, followed by a re-employment contract from January 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025, or until further orders, according to a notification from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Kumar takes over from Jaya Verma Sinha, who made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Railway Board in its 166-year history. Sinha, who assumed the role on September 1, 2023, is set to retire on August 31, 2024. Following her retirement, she will join the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) as an administrative member.

Sinha's tenure as the Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board was marked by significant contributions to the Indian Railways, building on her extensive experience within the organization. Her successor, Satish Kumar, brings with him a wealth of experience and is expected to continue the trajectory of growth and modernization within the Indian Railways.

This leadership change is part of a broader reshuffling of key government positions, as the ACC recently cleared a series of high-profile appointments across various ministries, including finance and defense, indicating a strategic realignment in India's bureaucratic leadership.