New Delhi: Amitabh Kant, one of India’s most celebrated bureaucrats and strategic thinkers, has officially stepped down from public service, ending a transformative 45-year career in governance and development. Serving most recently as India’s G20 Sherpa, Mr Kant’s resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with effect from June 15, 2025.
Mr Kant, a 1980-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer, leaves behind a legacy marked by innovative policymaking, global diplomacy, and structural reforms that helped shape India’s economic and digital roadmap.
Key Architect of India’s G20 Presidency
Mr Kant was appointed India’s G20 Sherpa in July 2022, succeeding Piyush Goyal. His leadership during India’s G20 Presidency culminated in the successful New Delhi Summit held on September 9–10, 2023. Under his stewardship, India achieved a rare consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration amid a tense global geopolitical landscape.
Read Also: Meet Amitabh Kant, the Mastermind of ‘Incredible India’ Campaign
In a statement shared on social media, he described the G20 role as a career-defining milestone, crediting Prime Minister Modi’s vision for guiding India’s people-centric and inclusive global outreach. He also emphasized the pivotal achievement of integrating the African Union into the G20 – a move that underscored India’s commitment to the Global South.
Legacy at NITI Aayog: Innovation, Inclusivity, and Impact
As CEO of NITI Aayog from 2016 to 2022, Kant spearheaded a wide array of reformative initiatives, including-
- Aspirational Districts Programme – Transforming lives in 115 underdeveloped districts.
- National Electric Mobility Mission – Promoting sustainable transport solutions.
- SDG Localisation and the LiFE Initiative (Lifestyle for Environment) – Aligning grassroots development with global goals.
- Atal Innovation Mission and Green Hydrogen Mission – Driving India’s digital infrastructure and climate action leadership.
- PLI Schemes (Production Linked Incentives) – Revitalizing India’s manufacturing sector.
He played a vital role in promoting digital public infrastructure, helping position India as a global leader in scalable tech governance models.
Earlier Reforms: Championing “Make in India” and Startup Ecosystem
Mr Kant’s earlier tenure as Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) saw India’s rise in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings – leaping 79 positions. His efforts underpinned flagship reforms including:
- Ease of Doing Business
- Make in India
- Startup India
These initiatives significantly reshaped India’s economic environment, encouraging domestic innovation and attracting foreign investment.
Read Also: From a Colonial Past to a Global Economic Powerhouse, How India Made It!
Roots in Kerala: From “God’s Own Country” to National Impact
Mr Kant’s bureaucratic journey began in Kerala, where he launched the iconic “God’s Own Country” tourism campaign, initiated the revival of Calicut city, expanded Calicut Airport, and worked closely with coastal communities. These early projects grounded his belief in people-first development.
Later, as Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, he helped conceptualize the globally acclaimed “Incredible India” campaign, emphasizing tourism’s role in job creation and cultural diplomacy.
Looking Ahead: Focus on Viksit Bharat and Thought Leadership
Though stepping away from government, Kant made it clear that his public engagement is far from over. In his farewell note, he expressed intent to contribute to India’s march toward Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by:
- Supporting free enterprise
- Enabling startups
- Collaborating with think tanks and academic institutions
Mr Kant emphasized gratitude to senior leaders including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Principal Secretary to the PM Dr. P.K. Mishra, calling their support “invaluable.”
A Lasting Legacy of Governance and Vision
Mr Kant’s journey symbolizes the possibilities of transformative public service rooted in innovation, empathy, and strategic foresight. As India advances toward its ambitious development goals, Kant’s contributions – from tourism and urban planning to global diplomacy and digital governance – are etched into the country’s modern history.
“India has always been, and will always be, Incredible. Humbled to have played a small role,” Kant wrote in a heartfelt farewell post.
My New Journey:
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 16, 2025
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…
