NEW DELHI: The Cabinet today cleared the appointment of academician David R Syiemlieh as interim chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
He will take over the charge from Alka Sirohi, a former IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Syiemlieh has been appointed as interim chairman of the UPSC," government sources said.
He has been a member of the UPSC since June 2012.
A post graduate in history from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, he held various academic positions in the same varsity, including head of the history department and that of the pro-vice chancellor.
Syiemlieh, is also a former vice chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University in Arunachal Pradesh. He has also authored several books on the history of North East region.