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. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet issued an official order confirming his appointment, stating that his tenure will commence from the day he assumes office. His term will be co-terminus with that of the Prime Minister or will continue until further government orders.
This appointment marks a significant development in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), as Das will now work alongside PK Mishra, who has been serving as the first Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister since September 11, 2019. With this move, the government has brought in an experienced economic policymaker at the highest levels of decision-making, which could have implications for India's financial and economic governance.
Born in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on February 26, 1957, Das pursued his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in history from the prestigious St Stephen's College in Delhi. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1980 as a Tamil Nadu cadre officer and went on to serve in a variety of crucial administrative roles both in the Tamil Nadu government and in the central government. Over the years, he gained extensive experience in finance, economic policy, and public administration, making him one of the most well-regarded bureaucrats in the country.
Das took over as the 25th Governor of the RBI in December 2018, a time when India’s financial sector was facing significant turbulence. Under his leadership, the RBI navigated complex challenges, including issues in the non-banking financial sector, global economic uncertainties, and inflationary concerns. His tenure was also marked by critical decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he played a pivotal role in implementing economic relief measures, stabilizing financial markets, and ensuring liquidity in the banking system. His leadership at the central bank earned him widespread recognition as a steady and pragmatic policymaker.
Following his retirement from the RBI in December 2023, Das was succeeded by Sanjay Malhotra, a 1990-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, who previously served as Secretary (Revenue) in the Ministry of Finance. Despite stepping down from his role at the RBI, Das’s vast experience in economic policymaking has now led to his return to public service in a high-profile position within the government.
In addition to his long career in economic governance, Das has also been recognized for his contributions to public administration. In 2021, Utkal University awarded him a Doctor of Letters (D Litt) in recognition of his significant role in shaping India’s economic policies and governance. His appointment as the second Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister underscores the government’s emphasis on having experienced and seasoned administrators in key advisory roles, particularly at a time when India is dealing with evolving global economic dynamics and domestic financial reforms.
