In a key organizational development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Ms. Sonali Sen Gupta as Executive Director (ED) with effect from October 9, 2025. Prior to her elevation, she was serving as the Regional Director for Karnataka at the Bengaluru Regional Office.
Portfolio to Include Consumer Protection, Financial Inclusion, and Inspection
In her new role, Ms. Sen Gupta will oversee three crucial departments within the RBI:
- Consumer Education and Protection Department
- Financial Inclusion and Development Department
- Inspection Department
These departments are central to the RBI’s mission of promoting financial literacy, safeguarding consumer interests, and maintaining robust regulatory oversight over banking operations.
Over Three Decades of Experience in RBI
With a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years at the central bank , Ms. Sen Gupta has served across multiple critical verticals. Her experience includes:
- Financial inclusion policy planning
- Human resource management
- Banking regulation and supervision
Her multifaceted exposure is expected to further enhance the effectiveness and outreach of RBI’s strategic goals in her new role as Executive Director.
Another ED Appointed Earlier in the Year
This appointment follows closely after the RBI’s earlier announcement of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Hansda as Executive Director, effective from March 3, 2025. These appointments reflect the central bank’s focus on strengthening its top leadership and aligning with evolving regulatory priorities.
Strengthening Institutional Governance at the Central Bank
Ms. Sen Gupta’s elevation is in line with the RBI’s broader effort to build institutional capacity, enhance consumer trust in the financial system, and promote inclusive growth through policy leadership. With India witnessing a dynamic shift in digital banking, regulatory tech, and financial inclusion, leadership appointments such as this are expected to play a critical role in steering policy execution.
