The Indian government has extended the tenure of Satish Kumar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, for an additional year, marking the first such extension for the post in five years. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the reappointment of Kumar, a retired Indian Railway Management Service officer, effective from 1 September 2025, on a contractual basis under existing terms.

Kumar, who assumed charge in September 2024, became the first Dalit to lead the national transporter, having previously served as Member (Traction and Rolling Stock) of the Railway Board. A veteran of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), Kumar joined the Railways in 1986. He is widely regarded as a technocrat, credited with pioneering the ‘fog safe’ device, which has become a staple across India’s rail network.

Under his leadership, safety indicators have shown marked improvement. The Ministry of Railways recently reported a decline in consequential train accidents — from 40 in 2023–24 to 31 in 2024–25, with only three incidents recorded in the first quarter of 2025–26. However, persistent issues such as congestion and crowd control at major stations remain unresolved. A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station in February 2025 claimed 18 lives and injured 15 others.

During his extended term, Kumar will also supervise the long-awaited launch of the Vande Bharat sleeper trains, expected in the coming weeks. These trains are anticipated to enhance passenger comfort on long-distance routes.

An alumnus of Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Kumar holds a BTech in mechanical engineering. His career began in the Jhansi Division of the former Central Railway and included significant roles at the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi, North Eastern Railway in Gorakhpur, and Patiala Locomotive Works. His contributions in locomotive engineering and maintenance have earned him a reputation for technical innovation and operational leadership.