RBI Governor of India:- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) serves as the country’s highest banking authority, playing a crucial role in shaping India’s financial framework since it was established in 1935 by the British colonial government. Over the years, several prominent figures have taken on the important role of RBI Governor, guiding the bank through various economic challenges and reforms.
Recently, Shaktikanta Das was appointed to this key position for a three-year term, reflecting the government’s confidence in his leadership abilities. As the Chief Executive Officer of the RBI and Ex-officio Chairman of its Central Board of Directors, the Governor wields considerable influence over India’s monetary policy. It’s also worth noting that every Indian banknote carries the signature of the RBI Governor, a mark of the authority and responsibility that come with this vital role.
List of RBI Governor of India (1935-2024)
The first Governor of the Reserve Bank of India was Sir Osborn Smith, and C.D. Deshmukh was the first Indian to hold the position. Check out the list of RBI Governor of India from 1935 to 2024 from the below table:-
| S.N. | RBI Governor of India | Tenure |
| 1 | Sir Osborne Smith | April 1, 1935 to June 30, 1937 |
| 2 | Sir James Braid Taylor | July 1, 1937 to February 17, 1943 |
| 3 | Sir C. D. Deshmukh | August 11, 1943 to June 30, 1949 |
| 4 | Sir Benegal Rama Rau | July 1, 1949 to 14 January 1957 |
| 5 | K. G. Ambegaonkar | January 14, 1957 to 28 February 1957 |
| 6 | H. V. R. Iyengar | March 1, 1957 to February 28, 1962 |
| 7 | P. C. Bhattacharya | March 1, 1962 to June 30, 1967 |
| 8 | L. K. Jha | July 1, 1967 to May 3, 1970 |
| 9 | B. N. Adarkar | May 4, 1970 to June 15, 1970 |
| 10 | S. Jagannathan | June 16, 1970 to May 19, 1975 |
| 11 | N. C. Sen Gupta | May 19, 1975 to August 19, 1975 |
| 12 | K. R. Puri | August 20, 1975 to May 2, 1977 |
| 13 | M. Narasimhan | May 3, 1977 to November 30, 1977 |
| 14 | I.G. Patel | December 1, 1977, to September 15, 1982 |
| 15 | Manmohan Singh | September 16, 1982 to January 14, 1985 |
| 16 | Amitav Ghosh | January 15, 1985, to February 4, 1985 |
| 17 | R. N. Malhotra | February 4, 1985, to December 22, 1990 |
| 18 | S. Venkatraman | December 22, 1990 to December 21, 1992 |
| 19 | C. Rangarajan | December 22, 1992, to November 21, 1997 |
| 20 | Bimal Jalan | November 22, 1997 to September 6, 2003 |
| 21 | Y. V. Reddy | September 6, 2003, to September 5, 2008 |
| 22 | D. Subbarao | September 5, 2008, to September 4, 2013 |
| 23 | Raghuram Rajan | September 4, 2013, to September 4, 2016 |
| 24 | Urjit Patel | September 4, 2016, to December 11, 2018 |
| 25 | Shaktikanta Das | December 12, 2018, to October 2021 |
| 26 | Shaktikanta Das | October 2021 to Present |
Important Facts on RBI Governor of India
- Role and Authority: The RBI Governors of India are the chief executive officer of the Reserve Bank of India and plays a key role in shaping monetary policy and overseeing the country’s financial stability.
- Appointment: The Governor is appointed by the Government of India for a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment.
- Signature on Currency: The Governor’s signature appears on all Indian banknotes, symbolising the authority of the RBI.
- Meetings and Decisions: The RBI Governor of India presides over the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which is responsible for setting interest rates and controlling inflation.
- Advisory Role: The RBI Governor also advises the government on financial and economic matters, influencing fiscal policy and economic reforms.
- Representation: The Governor represents India in international forums, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
- Historical Significance: The first Governor was Sir Osborn Smith, while C.D. Deshmukh was the first Indian to hold the position.
- Impact on Economy: Decisions made by the RBI Governor can have widespread implications for the Indian economy, affecting everything from inflation to employment rates.
- Public Engagement: The Governor often addresses the media and the public to explain monetary policy decisions and the state of the economy.
- Current Governor: As of now, Shaktikanta Das is the RBI Governor, having taken office in December 2018.
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