End of an Era: Amitabh Kant Retires from Government After 45 Years, Leaves G20 Sherpa Role

Amitabh Kant, one of India’s most prominent bureaucrats and policy architects, has officially concluded his long tenure in public service. With a career spanning 45 years, Kant has played an instrumental role in shaping India’s economic and development landscape through key initiatives and leadership roles. His resignation as India’s G20 Sherpa marks the beginning of a new chapter focused on entrepreneurship.

A Celebrated Bureaucratic Journey Concludes

Amitabh Kant, a retired 1980-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, has officially stepped down as India’s G20 Sherpa. Appointed to the role in July 2022, months before India assumed the G20 Presidency, Kant brought his extensive experience and vision to one of the most prestigious diplomatic assignments. He had earlier served as the longest-tenured CEO of NITI Aayog from February 2016 to June 2022, and held significant positions such as Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (2014–16) and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism (2001–07).

Announcing his decision on LinkedIn, Kant wrote, “After 45 years of dedicated service to the Government, I have decided to embrace new opportunities and begin a new chapter. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for accepting my resignation as India’s G20 Sherpa and for the trust he placed in me to drive developmental initiatives that shaped India’s growth trajectory.” He also expressed gratitude to Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S. Jaishankar, and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra for their consistent support.

Legacy in Policy Innovation and Global Leadership

During his tenure as G20 Sherpa, Kant played a pivotal role in steering India’s 2023 G20 Presidency through a time of global turbulence. “Leading India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 was a significant milestone in my career. Despite complex global challenges, we achieved unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, and refocused attention on key developmental issues,” he posted. His leadership also helped secure the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, reinforcing India’s commitment to global equity and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

Reflecting on his time at NITI Aayog, Kant noted the groundwork laid for India’s digital public infrastructure and the advancement of policy reforms in manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability. “We helped lay the foundations for India’s digital public infrastructure and pushed policy reforms across sectors—ranging from manufacturing through PLI schemes to innovation through the Atal Innovation Mission and sustainability through the Green Hydrogen Mission and Advanced Chemistry Cells,” he stated. In addition, Kant was instrumental in driving key national campaigns such as Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, Startup India, and Incredible India.

Conclusion

Amitabh Kant’s departure as G20 Sherpa marks the end of a transformative chapter in India’s public administration. His vision and dedication have significantly influenced the nation’s economic and policy landscape, and his future engagement with startups and academic institutions signals continued contributions to India's developmental journey.

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