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Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das is days away from completing his second term at the helm of the central bank
File photo of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, nearing the completion of his second term, remains at the centre of attention as discussions about his future gather momentum. With his tenure marked by critical economic decisions and steady leadership, the spotlight is firmly on one of India’s most influential policymakers during this pivotal moment for the central bank.
Das on Friday sidestepped a query on his future as the RBI Governor.
Das was replying to a question on whether he has heard anything from the government if he will be continuing after this term.
“I am not giving you any headline and I think it is better we stick to monetary policy,” Das told reporters at the RBI headquarters at the customary post-policy interaction on December 6.
The career bureaucrat-turned-central banker’s term is ending on December 10. This is the second three-year extension granted to Das and he is already one of the longest-serving RBI governors in its 90-year history.
In 2021, the government announced an extension to Das’s tenure, a month before his term was coming to an end.
A panel comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will be taking a call on appointing the next governor of the RBI.
Das had assumed office at a very rocky time for the RBI, succeeding Urjit Patel who had decided to quit before the end of his tenure. Over the past six years, Das has dealt with a slew of challenges including Covid-19 and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
First Appointment As RBI Governor In 2018
Das was first appointed as the 25th governor of the RBI in December 2018 for a term of three years and later granted a three-year extension in 2021. He succeeded Urjit Patel on December 12, 2018.
Prior Experience
Before this, Das, who is a retired 1980-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, served as the economic affairs secretary, revenue secretary and fertiliser secretary. He also also India’s Alternate Governor in the World Bank, ADB, NDB & AIIB. In the Tamil Nadu government, he has also served as the principal secretary (industries), special commissioner (revenue), and secretary (revenue).
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Education Qualification
Born in Bhubaneswar, Das, 67, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi.
Leadership Recognition
Shaktikanta Das was recently named the top central banker by Global Finance for the second consecutive year in 2024, with an A+ rating for his leadership in guiding the RBI through challenging economic times.
RBI MPC December 2024
The RBI opted for a status quo on rates for the 11th consecutive time on Friday, amid growing calls to address the slowdown in GDP growth in the July-September quarter at 5.4 per cent.
On Friday, Das made it clear that the RBI has been acting as per the flexibility offered by the statutes to the central bank, making it clear that its effort is to keep the inflation horse on tight leash.
