New Delhi, February 27, 2025 – Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term. Previously serving as the Finance Secretary, Pandey’s transition to SEBI marks a pivotal shift as he assumes leadership of India’s securities market regulation. With an illustrious career in financial governance and economic policy, his appointment underscores a commitment to strengthening India’s capital markets.
As Finance Secretary, Pandey profoundly influenced India’s fiscal policies. He championed fiscal prudence, ensuring a delicate balance between economic growth and inflation control by aligning monetary and fiscal strategies. His role in crafting budgets was equally impactful, delivering pro-growth, pro-people, and pro-taxpayer frameworks that prioritized tax reforms to stimulate consumption and investment. Pandey’s leadership in privatization and disinvestment was transformative—he orchestrated the historic sale of Air India to the Tata Group, facilitated the public listing of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and advanced the privatization process for IDBI Bank, all of which bolstered government revenues and economic restructuring.
As Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), he managed extensive disinvestment programs, while also advising on fiscal and economic strategies before Parliament. Among his notable contributions was drafting a new Income Tax Bill to overhaul the Income Tax Act of 1961, cementing his legacy as a modernizer of India’s financial architecture.
While specific details of Pandey’s immediate plans as SEBI Chairman are not yet available, his extensive background in financial management and governance offers clues to his likely priorities. Experts suggest he will focus on strengthening SEBI’s regulatory frameworks, enhancing its capabilities to address market volatility and safeguard investor interests. Market stability is expected to be a key concern, particularly in tackling challenges such as withdrawals by foreign institutional investors. Additionally, Pandey is likely to emphasize promoting transparency in regulatory actions, a move that would build greater trust in the Indian stock market. These anticipated priorities align seamlessly with his proven expertise in managing complex financial initiatives and shaping India’s economic strategies.
Pandey’s tenure at SEBI is poised to be a defining chapter for India’s securities markets, leveraging his deep experience to address both domestic and global financial challenges. As he steps into this role, stakeholders eagerly await his vision for one of the world’s most dynamic capital markets.
