Shaktikanta Das, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been ranked as the top central banker globally by US-based Global Finance magazine. Das has been rated “A+” in the magazine’s 2023 Central Banker Report Cards, which grades central bank governors from 101 countries, territories, and districts on a scale of A to F.
Das is followed by Thomas J. Jordan, Governor of the Swiss National Bank, and Nguyen Thi Hong, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam. The magazine said that Das was ranked highest for his “originality, creativity, and tenacity” in fighting inflation, which has been fueled by pent-up demand and disrupted supply chains.
Other central bank governors who received an “A+” rating include Roberto Campos Neto of Brazil, Amir Yaron of Israel, Harvesh Kumar Seegolam of Mauritius, and Adrian Orr of New Zealand. Governors who received an “A-” rating include Leonardo Villar of Colombia, Hector Valdez Albizu of the Dominican Republic, Asgeir Jonsson of Iceland, and Perry Warjiyo of Indonesia.
The Central Banker Report Cards are published annually by Global Finance since 1994. The magazine said that the ratings are based on a number of factors, including the governor’s success in controlling inflation, achieving economic growth goals, and maintaining currency stability.
It is worth noting that Shaktikanta Das was also awarded the “Governor of the Year” at the London’s Central Banking Awards 2023 in June. This award is given to the central bank governor who has made the most significant contribution to the global economy.
Das’s ranking as the top central banker globally is a testament to his leadership and commitment to maintaining financial stability in India. He has taken a number of steps to address the challenges posed by inflation, including raising interest rates and tightening monetary policy. These measures have helped to slow the pace of inflation, but they have also slowed economic growth. Das will need to continue to balance these two objectives in the coming months.