Tuhin Kanta Pandey, a senior IAS officer from the Odisha cadre (1987 batch), has been appointed as the next Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), replacing Madhabi Puri Buch. Pandey previously served as the Finance Secretary of India, assuming the role in September 2024, following the promotion of TV Somanathan to Cabinet Secretary. He has held several pivotal positions, including heading the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) and the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), where he played a key role in shaping India’s financial policies.
During his tenure, Pandey led the historic sale of Air India to the Tata Group and was instrumental in the public listing of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), one of India’s largest IPOs. His role as Finance Secretary involved advising the Finance Minister on policy matters, managing the ministry’s operations, and representing the ministry before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. He was actively involved in fiscal and economic strategy, ensuring the stability and growth of India’s financial markets.
As SEBI Chief, Pandey will be responsible for strengthening SEBI’s regulatory framework, enhancing investor protection, and improving corporate governance in India’s stock markets. His priorities will include increasing market transparency, introducing reforms to safeguard retail and institutional investors, and aligning SEBI’s policies with broader economic goals. His appointment comes at a critical time when India’s financial markets are facing evolving global and domestic challenges, and his leadership will be closely observed for its impact on the country’s financial ecosystem.
