Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath appointed, while Anand Mahindra re-appointed to the Reserve Bank of India’s Central Board for four years
New Delhi: The Central Government has appointed S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as a part-time, non-official director on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The appointment is for a period of four years, effective from August 20, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Alongside Somanath, the government has also re-appointed Anand Gopal Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, as a part-time, non-official director on the RBI Central Board for another four-year term, effective from August 20, 2026.
S. Somanath Appointed to RBI Central Board
S. Somanath is an aerospace engineer who has played a significant role in India’s space programme. He served as Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space.
During his tenure, India’s space programme witnessed several important missions and technological developments, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a historic soft landing on the Moon.
His appointment to the RBI Central Board brings expertise from India’s space, engineering, technology and scientific sectors to the board.
Anand Mahindra Re-appointed
The government has also re-appointed Anand Gopal Mahindra as a part-time, non-official director on the RBI Central Board.
Born on May 1, 1955, Mahindra is a prominent Indian businessman and serves as the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, a diversified business conglomerate headquartered in Mumbai.
His continued association with the RBI Central Board brings experience from the corporate and industrial sectors.
Four-Year Term
Both appointments are effective from August 20, 2026, and are for a period of four years, unless the government orders otherwise earlier.
The appointments add experienced figures from the science, technology and corporate sectors to the RBI’s Central Board.
What is the RBI Central Board?
The Central Board is the principal decision-making body of the Reserve Bank of India. It plays an important role in overseeing the functioning of the central bank and matters related to India’s monetary and financial system.
The inclusion of part-time non-official directors enables the board to benefit from expertise and perspectives from different fields, including economics, finance, industry, technology and public affairs.
Key Highlights
- S. Somanath: Appointed as Part-Time Non-Official Director
- Anand Mahindra: Re-appointed as Part-Time Non-Official Director
- Effective date: August 20, 2026
- Tenure: Four years, or until further orders
- Institution: Reserve Bank of India Central Board
- Somanath’s background: Aerospace engineering and former ISRO Chairman
- Anand Mahindra’s background: Business and industry; Chairman of Mahindra Group
The appointments bring together expertise from India’s space and technology ecosystem and the corporate sector, strengthening the diversity of experience represented on the RBI Central Board.
