Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Former ISRO Chief S Somnath Appointed To RBI Board
S Somnath used to lead India’s space agency, ISRO.
He has now been chosen to join the central board of the Reserve Bank.
He will be a part-time, non-official director.
His term will last four years starting August 20, 2026.
Somnath retired from ISRO in January 2025.
He later became chancellor of Chanakya University near Bengaluru.
Anand Mahindra was also chosen to serve another four years on the board.
The board includes the RBI governor, deputy governors and other senior officials.
Former Indian Space Research Organisation chief S Somnath was appointed to the Reserve Bank’s central board.
Somnath will serve as a part-time, non-official director for four years from August 20, 2026.
Somnath retired from ISRO in January 2025 and later became chancellor of Chanakya University.
The Reserve Bank also reappointed billionaire Anand Mahindra to its central board for four years.
The board includes RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, deputy governors and other senior government and financial officials.
- Who
- Former ISRO chairman S Somnath and businessman Anand Mahindra, along with other central-board members.
- What
- S Somnath was appointed a part-time, non-official director on the Reserve Bank’s central board, while Anand Mahindra was reappointed.
- When
- Somnath’s four-year term takes effect on August 20, 2026; Mahindra was reappointed for another four years.
- Where
- On the central board of the Reserve Bank of India; Somnath is also chancellor of Chanakya University near Bengaluru.
- Why
- The articles announce the appointments but do not state a specific reason for them.
- Somnath’s role
- Part-time, non-official director on the Reserve Bank’s central board
- Somnath’s term
- Four years from August 20, 2026
- Previous position
- Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation
- Retirement
- Retired from ISRO in January 2025
- Current academic role
- Chancellor of Chanakya University
- Anand Mahindra
- Reappointed as a part-time, non-official director for another four years
- RBI governor
- Sanjay Malhotra