Gyanesh Kumar salary, perks and assets: Does CEC have to disclose net worth like MPs, MLAs? Explained
The CEC of India draws a basic monthly salary of ₹2,50,000, equivalent to that of a judge or a Cabinet Secretary. Previously, it was equivalent to the salary of a Supreme Court Judge.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, has been a focal point of controversy amid allegations of unilateral decision-making during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. As part of the ongoing "Save Democracy" campaign by the opposition INDIA bloc, protests have been staged outside the Election Commission of India's headquarters in New Delhi led by the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi.
Kumar's compensation package is substantial, comprising a basic monthly salary of ₹2,50,000, equivalent to that of a Cabinet Secretary. This is on par with the salary structure of a Supreme Court Judge, which was the norm prior to amendments in 2023. Additional perks include a ₹34,000 monthly allowance, free official residence, government cars with chauffeurs, security cover, heavily subsidized utilities, and a sizeable post-retirement pension.
There are no public records detailing CEC Gyanesh Kumar's net worth, which has been under scrutiny under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The controversy stems from claims that the Election Commission acted unilaterally without proper approval in altering Form 6 for voter registration during the Special Intensive Revision. The 2023 law governing the salaries of the CEC and Election Commissioners equates their pay to that of a Cabinet Secretary, granting the Executive more control over their remuneration. Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988 batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, assumed the roles of CEC and Election Commissioner in 2024 and February 2025 respectively.
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