PM Modi to have Two Principal Secretaries, Including Former RBI Governor

On February 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi named former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das as his Principal Secretary-2. The Cabinet Appointments Committee gave its approval to Shaktikanta Das's nomination.

P K Mishra, a retired Gujarati cadre IAS officer, is the prime minister's principal secretary at the moment. With Das's appointment, the PM will have two prime secretaries for the first time. Das and Mishra are both from Odisha.

Das Appointed as Principal Secretary-2

The tenure of Das, a former Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer, shall be "co-terminus" with the prime minister's term or until further directives are issued, whichever comes first, per an official order.

"The appointment of Shri Shaktikanta Das, IAS (Retired), as Principal Secretary-2 to the Prime Minister has been approved by the Cabinet Appointments Committee and will take effect on the day he takes office. His appointment will run concurrently with the prime minister's term or until additional directives are issued, whichever comes first," the order stated.

Shaktikanta Das’s Tenure as RBI Governor

Shaktikanta Das served as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for six years. Just a year after he took charge, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing major economic challenges. To support the economy during lockdowns, he lowered the policy repo rate to a record low of 4% and kept interest rates low for nearly two years.

As the economy started recovering, Das and the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) quickly raised interest rates from May 2022 to prevent overheating. Under his leadership, economic growth remained above 7% in the last four years of his term.

Das’s Post-Retirement Roles

After retiring from the RBI, Shaktikanta Das was appointed as a member of the 15th Finance Commission and also served as India’s G20 Sherpa, representing the country in global economic discussions.

Das joined the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2018 as the 25th Governor following the resignation of his predecessor, Urjit Patel. Initially appointed for three years, his tenure was extended for another three years in 2021.

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Second Longest-Serving RBI Governor

With a six-year tenure, Das became the second longest-serving RBI Governor in the institution’s 90-year history. The longest-serving governor remains Benegal Rama Rau, who held the position for seven and a half years in the 1950s.

Das stepped down as RBI Governor on December 10, 2024, when Sanjay Malhotra was appointed as his successor.