Shaktikanta Das was born on February 26, 1957, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. He completed his schooling at Demonstration Multipurpose School in Bhubaneswar and later graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He further pursued a master's degree in history from the University of Delhi.
Career in the Indian Administrative Service
Shaktikanta Das joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1980 as part of the Tamil Nadu cadre. Over his career spanning several decades, he held various important positions in both the state government of Tamil Nadu and the central government of India.
In Tamil Nadu, he served in various capacities, including as the Collector of Dindigul and Kancheepuram districts. He also held positions such as Secretary, Revenue; Secretary, Industries; and Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Revenue Administration.
At the central level, Das worked in several key departments. He was appointed as the Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and later served as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Expenditure. He also held the position of Special Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
Key Roles and Achievements
Department of Economic Affairs: Shaktikanta Das played a crucial role in implementing several significant economic reforms. He was involved in the preparation of the Union Budget and worked on issues related to public debt management, capital markets, and economic affairs.
14th Finance Commission: He served as a member of the 14th Finance Commission of India, which made recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the central and state governments.
Goods and Services Tax (GST): Das was instrumental in the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, a landmark reform that aimed to unify the country into a single market by subsuming various indirect taxes into a single tax.
Demonetization: In November 2016, Shaktikanta Das played a pivotal role during the demonetization exercise when the Indian government decided to invalidate the INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes to curb black money, counterfeit currency, and corruption.
Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
On December 11, 2018, Shaktikanta Das was appointed as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). During his tenure, he has focused on ensuring financial stability, addressing non-performing assets (NPAs), and enhancing the regulatory framework of the banking sector. Under his leadership, the RBI has taken several measures to support economic growth, including monetary policy interventions, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing digital banking.
Personal Life
Shaktikanta Das is known for his calm and composed demeanor. He is married and has a daughter. In addition to his professional achievements, he is also known for his interest in Indian history and culture.
Awards and Recognitions
Shaktikanta Das has been recognized for his contributions to public service and economic policy. In 2022, he was named the 'Central Banker of the Year' by The Banker magazine for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting his effective management of the Indian economy during challenging times.
Legacy
Shaktikanta Das's tenure as an IAS officer and as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India has left a significant impact on India's economic landscape. His contributions to key economic reforms, financial stability, and regulatory enhancements have been widely acknowledged and appreciated.
References
"Shaktikanta Das Appointed RBI Governor," The Economic Times, December 11, 2018.
"RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Named 'Central Banker of the Year' for Asia-Pacific," The Banker, January 2022.
Official Biography, Reserve Bank of India Website.
Related Questions
1. Who is Shaktikanta Das?

Shaktikanta Das is the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1980 batch from the Tamil Nadu cadre.
2. When and where was Shaktikanta Das born?

Shaktikanta Das was born on February 26, 1957, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
3. What is Shaktikanta Das's educational backgro

Shaktikanta Das completed his schooling at Demonstration Multipurpose School in Bhubaneswar. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and a master's degree in history from the University of Delhi.
4What key roles did Shaktikanta Das hold during his career in the IAS?

During his IAS career, Shaktikanta Das served in various important positions, including Collector of Dindigul and Kancheepuram districts, Secretary of Revenue, and Secretary of Industries in Tamil Nadu. At the central level, he worked as Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Additional Secretary in the Department of Expenditure, and Special Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs.
5. What significant contributions did Shaktikanta Das make in the Department of Economic Affairs?

Shaktikanta Das played a key role in implementing economic reforms, preparing the Union Budget, and managing public debt and capital markets. He was also involved in the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the demonetization exercise in 2016.
6. When was Shaktikanta Das appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India?

Shaktikanta Das was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on December 11, 2018.
7. What are some of the key achievements of Shaktikanta Das as the RBI Governor?

As the RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das has focused on financial stability, addressing non-performing assets (NPAs), enhancing the regulatory framework of the banking sector, and promoting economic growth through monetary policy interventions and financial inclusion.