Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has recently been appointed as the Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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 Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has recently been appointed as the Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This appointment was announced today, February 22, 2025, and marks a significant transition for Das, who concluded his six-year tenure as RBI Governor in December 2024. His new role is effective from the date he assumes office and will be co-terminus with the Prime Minister’s term or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.



During his time as RBI Governor from 2018 to 2024, Das was recognized for steering India’s economy through challenging periods, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and high inflation. He focused on financial stability, bolstered foreign exchange reserves to a peak of $705 billion by September 2024, and advanced digital payment systems and financial inclusion initiatives. His tenure also saw the introduction of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot and efforts to strengthen banking regulations.


The appointment reflects Prime Minister Modi’s tendency to retain trusted officials in key positions. Das, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1980 Tamil Nadu cadre, brings over four decades of experience in finance, taxation, and economic policy to his new role. Previously, he served as Economic Affairs Secretary and represented India at international forums like the G20 and IMF. This move positions him alongside P.K. Mishra, the current Principal Secretary, combining Das’s economic expertise with Mishra’s administrative background to advise the Prime Minister on both domestic and international policy matters.