Centre Picks Poonam Gupta as RBI Deputy Governor for Key Role

New Delhi: The Centre has approved the appointment of Poonam Gupta, Director General at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a three-year term. She will replace Michael Patra in the role, ahead of the crucial Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for April 7-9, 2025.

Gupta brings extensive operational and policy experience across multiple regions, including India and China. Her research has been featured in leading academic and policy journals, including the Journal of Finance, Journal of International Economics, IMF Staff Papers, and key reports from the World Bank, such as Global Economic Prospects, Africa’s Pulse, and the East Asia and Pacific Update.

Professional and Academic Background

Before her appointment, Gupta served as the Director General at NCAER, India’s largest economic policy think tank. She is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and the Convener of the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission.

With nearly two decades of experience in senior positions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, D.C., Gupta has also held teaching roles at the Delhi School of Economics, the University of Maryland (USA), and ISI Delhi. Additionally, she has served as the RBI Chair Professor at NIPFP and a Professor at ICRIER.

At NCAER, she has led research in key areas such as economic growth, international financial architecture, central banking, macroeconomic stability, public debt, and state finances.

Educational Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Economics – University of Maryland, College Park (1998)
• M.A. in Economics – University of Maryland, College Park (1995)
• M.A. in Economics – Delhi School of Economics (1991)
• B.A. in Economics – Hindu College, Delhi University (1989)

Gupta’s appointment comes at a critical time as the RBI navigates challenges in monetary policy, economic growth, and inflation management. Her expertise in macroeconomic policy and global financial trends is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India’s monetary policy in the coming years.