Satish Kumar has been appointed as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Railway Board, marking the first time a Dalit has held this position in the organization's 119-year history. Kumar, a 1986 batch Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME) officer, will succeed Jaya Verma Sinha, the first woman to hold the post, who retires on August 31. Kumar will officially assume his role on September 1 and will serve until his superannuation and subsequent re-employment on a contract basis for one year. Known for his significant contributions to railway safety and innovations like the 'fog safe' device, Kumar has held various key positions, including Divisional Railway Manager of Lucknow Division. His appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by PM Narendra Modi, amid ongoing political discussions about Dalit representation and quotas. Kumar is highly qualified, holding a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Operation Management and Cyber Law.