Satish Kumar is a senior officer in the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), serving as the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways. He also holds the status of ex-officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India.
Education & Background
Satish Kumar was born on 12 December 1964 in Shri Dungargarh, Rajasthan. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He later completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Operations Management and Cyber Law from Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Career and Appointments
Early Career & Technical Roles
Kumar joined Indian Railways in March 1988 as part of the 1986 batch of the IRSME. His early postings included roles in Jhansi, Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi, North Eastern Railway (Gorakhpur), and Patiala Locomotive Works.
Mid-career Contributions
From 2017 to 2019, he served as Divisional Railway Manager of the Lucknow Division (Northern Railway), where he managed critical operations during the Kumbh Mela and led various infrastructure improvements. He also served as Chief Vigilance Officer for North Western Railway, Jaipur.
In November 2022, he was appointed General Manager of North Central Railway (Prayagraj). He subsequently served as Member (Traction & Rolling Stock) on the Railway Board, responsible for key policies related to rail traction and rolling stock.
Chairperson, Railway Board
On 1 September 2024, Satish Kumar was appointed as Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He succeeded Jaya Varma Sinha and will serve in this capacity on a contract basis until August 2025, following his superannuation.
Key Initiatives and Focus Areas
- Innovation in Railway Safety: Instrumental in the development and implementation of the Fog Safe Device, improving operational safety in low-visibility conditions.
- Total Quality Management: Advocated quality reforms across railway operations, drawing on training from international programs, including those supported by the UNDP.
- Event Operations: Played a key role in managing railway logistics and crowd control during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, coordinating large-scale operational planning.
Summary
Satish Kumar is a veteran IRSME officer with over three decades of experience in Indian Railways. Known for his engineering expertise and leadership in railway operations, he has held critical posts at divisional, zonal, and board levels. As Chairperson and CEO of the Railway Board, and ex-officio Principal Secretary to the Government of India, he leads the strategic direction of India’s rail network, with a focus on safety, modernization, and institutional excellence.