Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His term will end with the term of PM Modi. Das was appointed RBI Governor in December 2018 and his term ended on December 10, 2024.
According to the official order, he will work as Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister along with Principal Secretary-1 Dr PK Mishra.
A notification issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet said, “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shaktikanta Das, IAS (Retd) (TN:80) as Principal Secretary-II to the Prime Minister. The appointment will be effective from the date he assumes charge and will continue for the duration of the term of office of the Prime Minister or until further orders.”
Shaktikanta Das: A 1980 Batch IAS Officer
Shaktikanta Das, a 67-year-old IAS officer of the 1980 batch of Tamil Nadu cadre, hails from Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar. Throughout his career, he has held various key positions in both the Central and Tamil Nadu governments.
At the central level, he has served as Economic Affairs Secretary, Finance Secretary and Fertilizer Secretary at different times. Das is also an alumnus of Delhi’s prestigious St. Stephen’s College.
Shaktikanta Das’ Surprise Appointment as RBI Governor in 2018
In December 2018, the government made a surprise appointment by appointing Shaktikanta Das as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He replaced Urjit Patel, under whose leadership the central government had implemented demonetisation.
Urjit Patel later resigned after reportedly opposing a proposed change in the loan policy. Following his resignation, Shaktikanta Das was elected in his place.
Shaktikanta Das Was Given a Three-Year Extension in 2021
In 2021, the government gave Shaktikanta Das a three-year extension as RBI governor. Last month, reports said he might get another extension, but Sanjay Malhotra was announced as the new governor instead.
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