New Delhi: Amitabh Kant, the seasoned bureaucrat and India’s G20 Sherpa has stepped down from his role, marking the end of a distinguished 45-year journey in public service.
The former IAS officer of the 1980 Kerala cadre announced his resignation on Monday, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting it and for entrusting him with key developmental responsibilities over the years.
Appointed G20 Sherpa in July 2022, Kant played a central role in India’s high-profile G20 Presidency. Under his leadership, India secured a consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration in 2023, navigating through complex geopolitical tensions.
The G20 agenda focused on digital public infrastructure, climate finance, women-led development, and reforms to multilateral institutions.
My New Journey:
After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life. I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G20 Sherpa and for having given me the…— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 16, 2025
Reflecting on his tenure, Kant called it one of the most meaningful phases of his career. He highlighted India’s decision to host G20 meetings across all states and Union Territories as a landmark initiative to promote cooperative federalism and showcase local culture.
Before taking on the G20 role, Kant served as the CEO of NITI Aayog from 2016 to 2022. During this period, he spearheaded transformative initiatives including the Aspirational Districts Program, which uplifted 115 of India’s most backward districts by improving socio-economic indicators and expanding opportunities.
His previous tenure as Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (now the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) was marked by reforms aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, alongside launching initiatives like Make in India and Startup India, which remain cornerstones of India’s manufacturing and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Kant fondly recalled his early days in Kerala, where he launched the iconic ‘God’s Own Country’ tourism campaign, supported the expansion of Calicut Airport, and engaged closely with the fishing communities. He described Kerala as the foundation of his administrative journey and a source of lifelong inspiration.
Kant also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for their inspiration, guidance, and trust throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Amitabh Kant announced his intention to focus on India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions.
