Bengaluru: Canara Bank has appointed Shalini Pandit as the Government Nominee Director on its Board with immediate effect. The appointment was disclosed through a regulatory filing to stock exchanges under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.
Pandit, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2001 batch from the Odisha cadre, currently serves as Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. She succeeds Parshant Kumar Goyal, who ceased to hold the position from May 13, 2026, following a notification issued by the Central Government.
According to the filing, Pandit has been nominated under the provisions of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970. Her appointment is effective from May 13, 2026, and will remain valid until further orders.
The bank also clarified that Pandit is not related to any member of the Board and is not debarred by SEBI or any other regulatory authority from holding the office of Director.
About Shalini Pandit
IAS Pandit is widely regarded as an accomplished administrator with extensive experience across public health, education, women empowerment, and financial governance.
Profile Overview
- Date of Birth: September 11, 1974
- Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Batch: 2001
- Cadre: Odisha
- Current Position: Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi
Educational Background
Pandit has a strong academic foundation in science and wildlife studies:
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Botany from Miranda House
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Wildlife Science from Wildlife Institute of India
Current Role in the Ministry of Finance
Since September 2025, Pandit has been serving as Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services, where she oversees important policy matters relating to banking, insurance, and financial institutions.
Her appointment to the Canara Bank Board further strengthens the government’s representation in major financial institutions.
Other High-Profile Appointments
In recent months, Pandit has also been nominated to several key financial sector bodies:
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Board as Government Nominee Director
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) as Part-Time Member
- Canara Bank Board as Government Nominee Director
Distinguished Career in Odisha
Before moving to the Centre, Pandit held several influential positions in the Government of Odisha, including:
- Commissioner-cum-Secretary, School and Mass Education Department
- Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department
- Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM)
- Secretary, Mission Shakti Department
- Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department
- Labour Commissioner, Odisha
- District Collector in multiple districts
Key Achievements
Leadership During COVID-19
Pandit played a crucial role in strengthening Odisha’s public health response and expanding medical infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education Sector Reforms
She spearheaded initiatives focused on digital learning, curriculum reforms, and teacher capacity building in collaboration with national institutions such as the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
Women Empowerment
As Secretary of the Mission Shakti Department, she supported large-scale self-help group and livelihood initiatives for women across Odisha.
About Canara Bank
Founded in 1906 and nationalized in 1969, Canara Bank is one of India’s leading public sector banks. The bank operates a vast nationwide network of more than 9,800 branches and over 11,000 ATMs and recyclers, serving millions of customers across retail, MSME, agriculture, and corporate banking segments.
Significance of the Appointment
The nomination of Shalini Pandit reflects the Central Government’s continued emphasis on strengthening governance and policy oversight in public sector banks. Given her extensive administrative experience and current role in the Department of Financial Services, her presence on the Canara Bank Board is expected to contribute significantly to strategic decision-making and institutional governance.
