Dhanendra Kumar

Dhanendra Kumar is a distinguished former civil servant and expert in competition law and policy. Born in 1946, he joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1968 and has had a long and illustrious career in public service.1

Key Positions and Achievements

First Chairman of Competition Commission of India (CCI):: Kumar served as the inaugural chairman of the CCI from February 2009 to June 2011.12 In this role, he was instrumental in establishing the commission's enforcement machinery, regulations, systems, and procedures.2

Executive Director at World Bank:: Prior to his role at CCI, Kumar held the position of Executive Director at the World Bank, representing India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan from November 2005 to January 2009.1

Government Service:: Throughout his career, Kumar has served as Secretary in various ministries of the Government of India, including:

• Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
• Ministry of Culture1

Current Role and Expertise

Kumar is currently the founder and chairman of Competition Advisory Services (India) LLP (COMPAD), a niche advisory and consulting firm specializing in competition law, regulatory affairs, and government policies.13 His expertise in these areas is widely recognized, and he is frequently invited by major business-focused media outlets in India to author articles and provide commentary on contemporary business topics.1

Awards and Recognition

Kumar's contributions to public service have been acknowledged with several honors, including:

• The National Citizen's Award, presented by Mother Teresa, for his outstanding contribution to the development of Industrial Parks in Haryana
• An honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to public affairs1

Dhanendra Kumar continues to be active in his field, sharing his expertise through various platforms and contributing to the development of competition law and policy in India.