In a decisive move to bolster the strategic functioning of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Shaktikanta Das, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been entrusted with the newly established role of Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This shift, effective from February 22, 2025, marks a significant expansion within the PMO, as Das will work concurrently with Pramod Kumar Mishra, the current Principal Secretary-1.
The creation of this dual secretary role reflects an inventive approach by the government to enhance policy coordination at the highest level. Das's appointment is set to align strictly with PM Modi's current mandate, lasting throughout the Prime Minister's ongoing term. His role is anticipated to involve advising the PM on both domestic and international policy matters, managing pivotal government documentation, and harmonizing essential files requiring the Prime Minister's scrutiny and endorsement.
Das, an accomplished 1980-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Tamil Nadu, carries with him more than 40 years of esteemed experience across diverse governance sectors. His illustrious career includes pivotal roles such as India's G20 Sherpa and Economic Affairs Secretary. His tenure as RBI Governor, which concluded in December 2023 after six impactful years, was marked by critical periods in India’s financial history. Notably, he was at the helm during the complex phases of demonetization in 2016, the roadmap for and execution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and steering economic frameworks through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In these roles, Das demonstrated remarkable foresight and deft handling of India's monetary policy, contributing to a clearer communication channel between the RBI and the public.
This new step leverages Das’s deep-rooted expertise in fiscal and monetary realms, an expertise that is particularly pivotal as the government seeks to support India's robust economic growth aspirations. It exemplifies a strategic leveraging of seasoned governance professionals to not just maintain but uplift India's standing in global economic platforms, aligning with both national priorities and global development discourses. Observers foresee his collaboration with Pramod Kumar Mishra as instrumental in driving forward cohesive and effective policy decisions.