Anuradha Thakur Joins RBI Board, Marking a Historic First for Economic Affairs

 

In a significant move, the Government of India has appointed Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, as a Director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India. Her nomination, effective July 24, 2025, follows the retirement of Ajay Seth and marks a milestone in India’s financial governance.

 

Key developments and background:

 

Anuradha Thakur is a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre.

 

She assumed charge as Economic Affairs Secretary on July 1, 2025, becoming the first woman to hold this pivotal role.

 

Her appointment to the RBI board comes as part of routine restructuring following Ajay Seth’s superannuation on June 30.

 

Seth has since been named Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

 

Implications for RBI and policy coordination:

 

Thakur’s dual role as Economic Affairs Secretary and RBI board member positions her at the heart of India’s monetary-fiscal interface.

 

Her experience in corporate affairs and policy implementation is expected to enhance coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the central bank.

 

She joins Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju as one of the government’s nominee directors on the RBI board.

 

Thakur’s induction signals a progressive shift in leadership representation and is likely to influence upcoming policy dialogues, especially amid global economic uncertainties and domestic inflation concerns.

 

Sources: Economic Times, Business Standard