The Government of India has appointed Poonam Gupta, a former economist at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term.
Gupta, currently serving as the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her appointment comes at a critical juncture as the country grapples with economic growth challenges amid global geopolitical and financial uncertainties.
She will succeed Michael Patra, a veteran central banker who joined the RBI in 1985 and served as Deputy Governor from January 2020 until January 2025. During his tenure, Patra oversaw key functions, including monetary policy, financial markets operations, financial markets regulation, and economic and policy research.
Gupta’s extensive experience in economic policy and global financial institutions is expected to contribute significantly to the RBI’s efforts in maintaining macroeconomic stability and fostering sustainable growth in India’s evolving economic landscape.
