Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been appointed as the ‘Principal Secretary-2’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This appointment, as per the central government’s directive, is aligned with the tenure of the current prime minister or will continue until further orders.
Shaktikanta Das, aged 67, brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role. His career in public service spans over four decades, marked by significant contributions to India’s economic and financial sectors. Born on February 26, 1957, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Das pursued his early education at the Demonstration Multipurpose School in Bhubaneswar. He later earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Further enhancing his academic credentials, he completed a postgraduate degree in public administration from the University of Birmingham.
In 1980, Das commenced his journey in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as part of the Tamil Nadu cadre. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held numerous key positions at both the state and central levels. Notably, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Revenue and the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance. During his tenure as Economic Affairs Secretary, Das was instrumental in the government’s decision to demonetize high-value currency notes in November 2016, a move aimed at curbing black money and counterfeit currency.
Another cornerstone of Das’s career was his involvement in the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017. This monumental tax reform unified multiple indirect taxes into a single system, streamlining the taxation process across the nation. His adeptness in policy formulation and execution was further recognized when he was appointed as India’s G20 Sherpa in 2017, representing the country in international economic discussions.
In December 2018, following the unexpected resignation of then-RBI Governor Urjit Patel, Das was appointed as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. His tenure, which lasted until December 2024, was marked by several challenges, most prominently the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, the RBI undertook a series of measures to stabilize the economy, including liquidity infusion and regulatory adjustments, ensuring the resilience of India’s financial system during unprecedented times.
Das’s contributions have been acknowledged both domestically and internationally. In 2023, he was honored with the ‘Governor of the Year’ award by Central Banking, a UK-based publication, recognizing his effective leadership and crisis management during turbulent economic periods.
Upon concluding his term as RBI Governor, Das’s expertise continued to be sought after. His recent appointment as ‘Principal Secretary-2’ to Prime Minister Modi underscores the trust and confidence the administration places in his capabilities. In this role, he is expected to provide strategic advice on economic and policy matters, leveraging his extensive experience to support the Prime Minister’s vision for the nation’s development.
The central government’s announcement specified that Das’s tenure as Principal Secretary-2 is “co-terminus with the term of the prime minister or until further orders,” indicating that his service is directly linked to the current administration’s duration.
As Shaktikanta Das transitions into this new role, his vast experience and proven track record are anticipated to significantly contribute to the policy-making processes at the highest level of government. His journey from a civil servant to the central bank’s governor and now to a key position within the Prime Minister’s Office reflects a career dedicated to public service and national development.
