Full List of RBI Governors of India: The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) history is filled with illustrious Governors who guided the country's central bank through a range of economic periods. These luminaries, comprising renowned economists, policymakers, and financial experts, have left an indelible mark on India's monetary policies and financial architecture.
Among the luminaries in the RBI Governors' pantheon is Raghuram Rajan, whose tenure from 2013 to 2016 is lauded for stabilizing the Indian economy amidst global economic turbulence. Urjit Patel, Governor from 2016 to 2018, concentrated on fortifying the monetary policy framework and addressing banking sector reforms. Currently, Shaktikanta Das, who assumed office in December 2018, has spearheaded initiatives to bolster economic growth and financial resilience during challenging times.
These governors have been pivotal in crafting and executing monetary policies, overseeing banking regulations, and upholding financial stability in India. Their adept stewardship has profoundly shaped the nation's economic landscape, rendering the RBI Governors' legacy a beacon of distinction in India's financial history.
The inaugural Governor of the RBI was Sir Osborne Smith, who commenced his tenure on April 1, 1935, laying the groundwork for the institution and guiding its formative policies. C.D. Deshmukh made history as the first Indian Governor, commencing his tenure on August 11, 1943, marking a significant stride towards indigenous leadership in India's financial realm.
As of April 2023, Shaktikanta Das holds the mantle of RBI Governor, succeeding Urjit Patel in December 2018. Das, a seasoned economist and civil servant, has navigated the RBI through turbulent waters, including global economic uncertainties and the COVID-19 pandemic. His proactive approach in crafting and executing monetary policies underscores his commitment to maintaining monetary stability and fostering financial resilience in India.
| S.No. | Governor Name | 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 Present |