Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant transition in his distinguished career. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Das’s selection, with his tenure set to be co-terminus with the Prime Minister’s term or until further orders, whichever comes first.
Shaktikanta Das
Shaktikanta Das, a 1980-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His six-year tenure as the 25th Governor of the RBI, which concluded in December 2024, was marked by decisive leadership through challenging times. During his governorship, Das navigated India’s monetary policy through the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Prior to his role at the RBI, Das held several key positions in both state and central governments, including Economic Affairs Secretary and Revenue Secretary. His extensive background in finance, taxation, industries, and infrastructure, spanning over 38 years, has been instrumental in shaping India’s economic policies. Das played a crucial role in implementing major reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the introduction of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code.
Strategic Appointment for Economic Governance
Das’s appointment as Principal Secretary-2 comes at a time when the Indian government is placing increased emphasis on strengthening economic policies and financial governance. In this new role, he is expected to provide strategic advice on crucial economic and financial matters, further enhancing the government’s decision-making process.
The selection of Das for this pivotal position reflects the government’s trust in his administrative expertise and his ability to navigate complex economic challenges. His experience in crisis management and his track record of maintaining financial stability through inflation-targeting policies during his tenure at the RBI are likely to be valuable assets in his new role.
Das will serve alongside Dr. P K Mishra, who holds the position of Principal Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister. This dual appointment structure is expected to strengthen the Prime Minister’s Office’s capacity to address the multifaceted economic challenges facing the nation.
As India continues to focus on economic growth and global financial integration, Shaktikanta Das’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to bring deep expertise in economic policy and fiscal management to the heart of government operations. His transition from the central bank to the Prime Minister’s Office marks a new chapter in his career and in India’s economic governance.
