Synopsis
Shaktikanta Das, a veteran bureaucrat and RBI Governor, has been instrumental in navigating India's central bank through the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis. His extensive experience in governance and economic policy-making has significantly shaped India's financial landscape during these unprecedented times.Key Takeaways
- Shaktikanta Das played a crucial role in RBI's pandemic response.
- Experience spans over four decades in governance.
- Former Union Revenue Secretary and Economic Affairs Secretary.
- Awarded 'Central Banker of the Year, Asia-Pacific 2020'.
- Recognized as 'Governor of the Year 2023'.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (NationPress) Shaktikanta Das, a seasoned bureaucrat, has been recognized for his pivotal role in guiding India's central bank through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent impacts.
An IAS officer from the 1980 batch of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Das has played a significant part in shaping the economic and diplomatic strategies of the Narendra Modi administration.
He held the position of Economic Affairs Secretary within the Union Finance Ministry in 2016.
Before assuming the role of RBI Governor in December 2018, Das represented India as the Sherpa to the G20 for over a year, starting in November 2017.
Born on February 26, 1957, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Das possesses extensive governance experience spanning more than four decades, having held key roles in central and state governments across finance, taxation, industries, and infrastructure.
He effectively led the central bank's response to the pandemic through a range of traditional, unconventional, and innovative policy measures, focusing on monetary policy, liquidity management, and regulatory frameworks to ensure financial stability while alleviating the economic fallout from the pandemic.
As an IAS officer, Das also held the title of Fertilizers Secretary. Additionally, he represented India as the Alternate Governor in several international financial institutions, including the World Bank, ADB, NDB, and AIIB.
Das has actively participated in various international discussions, representing India in platforms such as the IMF, G20, BRICS, and SAARC.
He completed his schooling at the Demonstration Multipurpose School in Bhubaneswar and earned his bachelor’s (BA) and master’s (MA) degrees in history from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.
In 2021, he received an honorary D. Litt. from Utkal University.
Das also had a brief tenure with Mahindra Industrial Park Ltd (Mahindra World City), serving on deputation to a private sector firm as per Rule 6(2)(ii) of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954.
In June 2014, he was appointed as the Union Revenue Secretary by the Prime Minister's Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), assuming office on June 16, 2014, and concluding his term on August 31, 2015.
He was honored with the title of 'Central Banker of the Year, Asia-Pacific 2020' by the London-based publication The Banker in recognition of his contributions to strengthening the banking system.
As the RBI Governor, he was awarded the 'Governor of the Year 2023' title by the London-based financial journal Central Banking.
