Who Is Shaktikanta Das? Former RBI Governor Appointed as ‘Principal Secretary-2’ to PM Modi

Who Is Shaktikanta Das? Former RBI Governor Appointed as 'Principal Secretary-2' to PM Modi
Introduction Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as ‘Principal Secretary-2’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his selection, and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the official order on Saturday, February 22.
Meanwhile, PK Mishra has been serving as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister since September 11, 2019.
Shaktikanta Das Appointed as Principal Secretary-2
Shaktikanta Das’s appointment is set to be “co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” as per the official order. His selection is seen as a strategic move, given his extensive experience in economic policy and governance.
Who Is Shaktikanta Das?
A distinguished bureaucrat, Shaktikanta Das is a former IAS officer from the 1980 Tamil Nadu cadre. He took charge as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in December 2018 and completed his tenure last year. Throughout his six-year term, he played a crucial role in steering India’s economy through global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Achievements of Shaktikanta Das
Das has been globally recognized for his leadership in financial governance. For two consecutive years, he was ranked among the top three central bankers in the world by the US-based magazine Global Finance. In the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024, he received an ‘A+’ rating for his contributions to monetary policy and economic stability.
Economic Reforms and Contributions
During his tenure at RBI, Das focused on maintaining the inflation-growth balance, which remained a top priority. In his final press conference as RBI Governor, he reiterated the central bank’s commitment to economic stability and policy reforms. His leadership was instrumental in implementing measures that strengthened India’s financial resilience amid global uncertainties.
Conclusion
Shaktikanta Das’s appointment as ‘Principal Secretary-2’ to PM Modi underscores his expertise in economic governance and policy-making. His vast experience and commendable track record in financial leadership are expected to contribute significantly to the Prime Minister’s administration. As he steps into this new role, all eyes will be on how his economic insights shape key government policies moving forward.