Poonam Gupta Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor, Becomes First Woman Economist in Role
The government has appointed Dr. Poonam Gupta, the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term. This marks a significant milestone as Dr. Gupta becomes the first woman economist to hold this prestigious position.
Dr. Gupta’s appointment fills the vacancy left by Michael Debabrata Patra, whose tenure ended in January. Her extensive experience in economic policy and academia makes her a fitting choice for the role. She has served in senior positions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, contributing to global macroeconomic research and policy development. Additionally, she has held academic roles at esteemed institutions such as the Delhi School of Economics and the University of Maryland.
Currently, Dr. Gupta is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and the Convener of the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission. Her academic achievements include a Master’s degree and PhD in Economics from the University of Maryland, USA, and a Master’s degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. She was also awarded the 1998 EXIM Bank Award for her PhD thesis on international economics.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time, as the RBI prepares for its Monetary Policy Meeting scheduled from April 7 to April 9. With her expertise, Dr. Gupta is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping monetary policy and addressing economic challenges. The central bank currently has four deputy governors, each overseeing different departments, including monetary policy, commercial banking, and internal operations.
Dr. Gupta’s appointment is seen as a progressive step towards enhancing diversity and expertise within the RBI’s leadership. Her contributions are anticipated to strengthen India’s economic framework and policy-making processes.
