Former ISRO Chief S. Somanath Appointed to RBI Central Board

The Central Government has taken a key decision to strengthen the governance and expertise of the Reserve Bank of India. Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has been appointed as a part-time, non-official director on the RBI Central Board for a four-year term beginning August 20, 2026.

Industrialist and Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has also been reappointed as a non-official director for another four-year term. The RBI Central Board traditionally includes experts from different fields to provide wider perspectives on matters related to the functioning of the central bank.

Somanath’s expertise in technology and space research, along with Anand Mahindra’s extensive industrial experience, is expected to add value to the board’s deliberations. The appointments come at a time when the banking sector is dealing with challenges including inflation management, digital currency expansion and cybersecurity.