Debasish Panda From Odisha Appointed Chairman Of IRDAI

Bhubaneswar: The Central government on Friday appointed Debasish Panda, former secretary, Department of Financial Services, as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

According to sources, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Panda as IRDAI chief.

Panda will hold the post for three years from the date of assumption of the charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

The post had remained vacant after Subhash C Khuntia retired as IRDAI chief in May 2021. Panda succeeds Khuntia after retiring from his post in the Department of Financial Services in January 2022.

A 1987-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Panda hails from Bhubaneswar. Prior to his elevation as secretary, Financial Services, Panda served as additional secretary, looking after insurance and financial inclusion division.

He was also the government nominee director on board of IRDAI and served on the boards of some public sector banks and insurance companies. He was also on the board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).