New Delhi: Shaktikanta Das, the longest-serving governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in seven decades, was widely expected to get an extension after completing a second three-year term. He, however, quietly demitted office in December last year. Das re-entered the top echelons of bureaucracy making a grand entry into the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) last week. Courtesy, a new post created at the highest decision making body in the country. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister.

Das’s appointment marks a key pattern in the Prime Minister’s choice of select bureaucrats and his desire to persist with them. This also signifies the reluctance to tap lateral talent to man key policy posts in the Union government. The government flirted with the idea in between only to dump it in wake of political opposition.

No, Das isn’t a Gujarat cadre IAS officer (he is from Tamil Nadu).

It is about select top bureaucrats who have made an impression on the Prime Minister during the last decade and in case of Gujarat cadre IAS officers for about two decades including Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. Das earlier served in various capacities in the finance ministry, the 15th Finance Commission and also held the G20 Sherpa role. He brings economic heft to the PMO given his stellar track record.

Let us look at this exclusive club, which........

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