Anuradha Thakur Appointed to SEBI Board, Set to Join RBI Central Board Soon

In a historic move, Anuradha Thakur, a 1994 batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed to the Board of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), replacing outgoing Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth. With this appointment, effective July 1, 2025, Thakur becomes the first woman to hold the position of Economic Affairs Secretary, a role once held by eminent personalities like Dr. Manmohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia. A separate notification for her induction into the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected soon.

Why in News?

The government has notified Anuradha Thakur’s appointment to the SEBI Board, replacing Ajay Seth, who retires on June 30, 2025. She will also likely be inducted into the Central Board of the RBI, representing the Finance Ministry. She is now India’s first woman Economic Affairs Secretary, marking a significant moment in Indian administrative history.

Background & Career Highlights

• Anuradha Thakur is a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre and originally hails from Bihar.

Previously served as,

• Additional Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Director, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
• Officer on Special Duty, Department of Economic Affairs
• She also spearheaded the PM Internship Programme and led the 3Is initiative (Inquiry, Inspection, and Investigation).
• Key role in strategic disinvestment of Air India, launch of Bharat Bond ETF, and asset monetisation drive under DIPAM.

Appointments to Regulatory Boards

SEBI Board

• Thakur joins as an ex-officio part-time member, replacing Ajay Seth.

Other ex-officio members include,

• RBI Deputy Governor
• Corporate Affairs Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee

RBI Central Board (notification awaited),

• She will join M Nagaraju (Financial Services Secretary) as a government nominee.
• She replaces Ajay Seth here as well.

Role & Expectations as Economic Affairs Secretary

• Represents the government on SEBI and RBI boards.

Plays a crucial role in economic policy-making, including,

• Government borrowing plans
• International ratings engagement
• Fiscal and financial reforms

Significance of the Appointment

• Marks a milestone for gender representation in top bureaucratic posts.
• Her appointment brings strong credentials in disinvestment, regulatory enforcement, and economic reforms.
• Critical role in liaising with rating agencies, especially amid India’s push for sovereign credit rating upgrades.