Sat Feb 22 20:26:41 UTC 2025: ## Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Appointed Prime Minister Modi’s Principal Secretary

**New Delhi, February 22** – The Indian government announced the appointment of Shaktikanta Das, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The appointment, effective immediately and lasting until the end of the Prime Minister’s term, marks a significant move given the current economic climate.

Das, a retired IAS officer with a distinguished career spanning both fiscal and monetary policy, brings unparalleled experience to the role. He previously served as Revenue Secretary and Economic Affairs Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, giving him a deep understanding of government budgeting and economic planning. His six-year tenure as RBI Governor, one of the longest in recent history, provided him with expertise in monetary policy and navigating the complexities of the financial markets.

His appointment comes at a crucial time for India’s economy, which is facing headwinds from global trade tensions, rupee volatility, and a general slowdown. Das’s expertise in managing both fiscal and monetary policy positions him uniquely to advise the Prime Minister on navigating these challenges. His experience includes overseeing the remonetization of the economy following demonetization in 2016 and steering the RBI through the COVID-19 pandemic, where he implemented crucial measures to support the economy. He also successfully resolved disagreements between the RBI and the government regarding surplus funds transfer.

Throughout his career, Das has proven adept at handling challenging situations, including the IL&FS crisis and its impact on the NBFC sector, as well as the inflationary pressures stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war. His tenure at the RBI saw improvements in bank asset quality.

The appointment is widely seen as a strategic move to bolster the government’s economic management capabilities during a period of considerable uncertainty.

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