Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been appointed as Principal Secretary-2 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This newly created post reinforces the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with additional economic and financial expertise. The notification was issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet , confirming that Das’s tenure will remain co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders.

A seasoned bureaucrat from the 1980 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Das has played a pivotal role in India’s financial and economic landscape. His appointment comes alongside the continuation of Dr. P.K. Mishra, a 1972 batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer, who has been serving as Principal Secretary-1 to the Prime Minister since September 2019. Mishra, who had previously worked with Modi during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, is known for his deep administrative acumen and policy expertise.

Shaktikanta Das recently concluded his extended six-year term as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in December 2024. During his tenure, he navigated crucial financial reforms, including interest rate adjustments to balance inflation and economic growth. His leadership was instrumental in stabilizing the financial ecosystem, particularly following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor, Urjit Patel, amid tensions between the central bank and the government.

Prior to this Das held key positions in the Ministry of Finance, playing a crucial role in the implementation of landmark economic reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization.