Shaktikanta Das, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to a central government circular, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment from the date he assumes office. His tenure will continue until the prime minister’s term ends or further orders are issued.
Das served as the RBI governor for six years before stepping down in December last year. Following his departure, Sanjay Malhotra took over as the 26th governor of the central bank.
Shaktikanta Das Appointed as Principal Secretary to PM
The Indian government has appointed Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as the Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and will be effective from the day he officially takes charge.
Shaktikanta Das, who is 67 years old, served as the RBI Governor for six years before retiring in December last year. His new role as Principal Secretary-2 will continue for as long as the current Prime Minister remains in office, unless the government issues further orders regarding his position.
The position of Principal Secretary-1 is currently held by PK Mishra, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. He has been serving in this role since September 11, 2019. With Das’s appointment, the Prime Minister will now have two Principal Secretaries, with Das taking on the role of Principal Secretary-2.
This appointment highlights Das’s vast experience in finance and governance, making him a key advisor to the Prime Minister in economic and policy matters.
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About Shaktikanta Das
Shaktikanta Das, 67, is a seasoned bureaucrat who became the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2018 following the abrupt resignation of Urjit Patel.
A 1980-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, Das holds a master’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Birmingham.
During his tenure as Economic Affairs Secretary, Das played a crucial role in India’s demonetization drive in November 2016. He was also instrumental in implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which replaced multiple indirect taxes and came into effect on July 1, 2017.
As RBI Governor, Das led India’s financial system through the COVID-19 crisis, managing economic disruptions and stabilizing supply chains affected by the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Recognizing his contributions, the government extended his tenure for three more years in 2021.
Throughout his career, Das has held key positions, including Secretary of the Department of Revenue and Department of Economic Affairs. After retiring from administrative services, he served as a Member of the 15th Finance Commission and as India’s G20 Sherpa.
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FAQs
Q.1. Who is Shaktikanta Das?
Ans. Shaktikanta Das is a former RBI Governor and IAS officer who has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Q.2. What is Shaktikanta Das’s new role?
Ans. He has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to PM Modi, assisting in economic and policy matters.
Q.3. When did Shaktikanta Das retire as RBI Governor?
Ans. He stepped down in December last year after serving as RBI Governor for six years.
Q.4. What are Shaktikanta Das’s key contributions?
Ans. He played a crucial role in demonetization, GST implementation, and managing India’s economy during the COVID-19 crisis.
Q.5. Who is the Principal Secretary-1 to PM Modi?
Ans. PK Mishra currently holds the position of Principal Secretary-1 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
