In a landmark development, Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, has been appointed as a director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). With this, she becomes the first woman to serve in this prestigious ex-officio role, marking a significant step forward for gender representation in India’s top economic policymaking bodies.
As per established convention, the Economic Affairs Secretary holds a seat on the RBI’s Central Board, contributing to key decisions on monetary policy, financial regulation, and economic strategy.
Earlier this month, Ms. Thakur also assumed a board position at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), underscoring her growing influence across India’s financial regulatory ecosystem.
With an illustrious track record, she has held senior positions such as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Director at the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), and Joint Secretary at DIPAM, where she played a pivotal role in major economic reforms including the strategic disinvestment of Air India and the launch of Bharat Bond ETFs.
Her appointment is widely seen as a move that brings both experience and a progressive outlook to India’s central banking governance at a critical time for economic stewardship.
