Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has been given the ‘Governor of the Year’ award for 2023 by the ‘International Economic Research Journal Central Banking’. Das has received this award for his stable leadership in difficult times. At the same time, the ‘Central Bank of the Year’ award has been given to the National Bank of Ukraine.

Das faced these challenges
Das faced challenges ranging from the bankruptcy of large non-banking firm IL&FS to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine along with the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Das’ leadership, the RBI implemented critical reforms, introduced innovative payment systems, and delivered growth-supportive measures during the pandemic.

Central banking praised Das
Das has also been praised by international central banking for deftly steering the RBI amid intense political pressure and economic disasters. This is the second time that an Indian central bank governor has won this award. Before Das, Raghuram Rajan was honored with the ‘Governor of the Year’ award in 2015.

Das is a 1980 batch IAS officer.
Shaktikanta Das is a post graduate from Stephen’s College from Delhi and is an IAS officer of 1980 batch. Till May 2017, he was the Secretary of Economic Affairs. Das took over as the 25th Governor of RBI on 12 December 2018. He was made the governor after the resignation of Urjit Patel.

Even when demonetisation took place in November 2016, Das was on the main front. Das also served as a member in the 15th Finance Commission. Represented India in BRICS, International Monetary Fund and SAARC.