Tuhin Kanta Pandey Appointed SEBI Chairman
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the Finance and Revenue Secretary, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a three-year term. The government announced his appointment on February 27, 2025, following the completion of Madhabi Puri Buch’s tenure. Pandey takes over from Buch, who served as SEBI’s first woman chairperson from March 2, 2022, until February 28, 2025.
About Tuhin Kanta Pandey
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is an IAS officer from the 1987 batch of the Odisha cadre. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Punjab University and an MBA from the UK. Over his career, he has held several important positions in both the Government of Odisha and the Government of India.
Early Career and Key Roles
Pandey began his career as Executive Director and Managing Director of the Odisha State Finance Corporation (OSFC) and Odisha Small Industries Corporation (OSIC). He later served as Collector and District Magistrate of Sambalpur and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce at the Government of India. Additionally, he was deputed to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
Key Positions in Odisha Government
After returning to Odisha, Pandey held significant roles including Special Secretary in the General Administration Department, Transport Commissioner, Health Secretary, and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes. In 2009, he was appointed Joint Secretary in the Planning Commission, where he served for five years, followed by two years as Joint Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. Also: The new Income Tax Bill consists of 23 chapters and 16 schedules.
Expertise in Financial Management and Public Finance
Pandey has extensive expertise in industrial development, financial management, and public finance. From 2016, he served as the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department in Odisha, where he played a major role in implementing policies and reforms. He also served as the longest-serving Secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), which manages government equity in public sector enterprises.
Role in Budget and Tax Reforms
In January 2025, Pandey took charge of the Revenue Department after Sanjay Malhotra moved to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He played a pivotal role in preparing the 2025-26 Budget, which included ₹1 lakh crore in tax relief for the middle class. He was also involved in drafting a new Income Tax Bill to replace the 64-year-old Income Tax Act of 1961.
Leadership in Disinvestment and Privatisation
During his tenure at DIPAM from 2019 to 2025, Pandey led efforts in the disinvestment of central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and worked on reducing government involvement in various sectors. He was a key figure in the privatisation of Air India, with the Tata group winning the bid for ₹18,000 crore. The Tata group officially took over Air India on January 27, 2022. Additionally, Pandey supervised the ongoing privatisation process of IDBI Bank.
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