RonaldKign at 10:12, 3 February 2026

2026-02-03T10:12:49Z

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{{Short description|Indian civil servant (born 1956)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Amitabh Kant
| office = [[Sherpa (emissary)|Indian Emissary to the G20 & G7]]
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = Hindi
| image = Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog (33897600400).jpg
| caption = Amitabh Kant at the WTTC Global Summit 2017
| predecessor = [[Piyush Goyal]]
| term_start = 8 July 2022
| termend = 16 June 2025
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1956|03|01}}
| birth_place = [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| spouse = Ranjeeta Kant
| alma_mater = [[St Stephen's College, Delhi]]<br>[[Delhi University]]<br>[[Jawaharlal Nehru University]]
| occupation = [[Civil servant]]
| other_names =
| website = {{Official website}}
| office2 = 2nd [[NITI Aayog|CEO of NITI Aayog]]
| predecessor2 = Sindhushree Khullar
| successor2 = [[Parameswaran Iyer]]
| termstart2 = 17 February 2016
| termend2 = 30 June 2022
}}

'''Amitabh Kant''' (born 1 March 1956) is a retired 1980 batch [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer who<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-06-29 |title=NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant's tenure extended by one year |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/niti-aayog-ceo-amitabh-kants-tenure-extended-by-one-year/article35044982.ece |access-date=2021-07-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> served as [[2023 G20 New Delhi summit|India's G20]] [[Sherpa (emissary)|Sherpa]] from 8 July 2022 till 16 June 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Harikishan |title=The face behind India's G20 prep: Sherpa Amitabh Kant |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/the-face-behind-indias-g20-prep-sherpa-amitabh-kant-8930861/ |access-date=4 April 2024 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=10 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-16 |title=Amitabh Kant resigns as India's G20 Sherpa, ending 45-year govt career |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/amitabh-kant-resigns-g20-sherpa-10069431/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> and as the chief executive officer of [[NITI Aayog]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/startups/indias-startup-movement-is-fast-gaining-momentum-amitabh-kant/60065648|title=India's startup movement is fast gaining momentum: Amitabh Kant|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=15 August 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref> a [[public policy]] [[think tank]] of the [[Government of India]].

==Early life==
Amitabh Kant was born on 1 March 1956. He first studied at [[Modern School (New Delhi)|Modern School, Delhi]], graduated with a degree in Economics (Hons.) from [[St. Stephen's College, Delhi]]<ref name="St. Alumni">{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/did-you-know-these-6-top-office-holders-in-india-went-to-the-same-college-1411307-2018-12-17|title=Did you know these 6 top office holders in India went to the same college? |work=India Today|date=17 December 2018}}</ref> and earned an M.A. in International Relations from [[Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi|Jawaharlal Nehru University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tourism Tales with Amitabh Kant|url=https://www.braingainmag.com/tourism-tales-with-amitabh-kant.htm|access-date=2021-07-23|website=www.braingainmag.com}}</ref> He was a [[Chevening Scholarship|Chevening Scholar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Chief Executive Officer|url=http://niti.gov.in/team-niti/profile-ceo-niti-aayog}}</ref>

==Career==

Kant began his [[Indian Administrative Service]] career in the [[Kerala]] cadre, working as sub collector of [[Thalassery]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reviving Nostalgic Memories: DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant's journey to Tellicherry, his first posting |url=http://www.babusofindia.com/2015/03/reviving-nostalgic-memories-what-dipp.html |access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref> where he carried out infrastructural work such as widening roads, removing encroachments, relocating the town's fish market from the town-centre to the beach area and initiating the Tellicherry Carnival for communal harmony.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bansal |first1=Rashmi |title=Shine Bright |date=20 May 2019 |publisher=Westland |pages=292 |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/shine-bright-rashmi-bansal-pdf-free.html |access-date=4 April 2024}}</ref>

After his tenure in Tellicherry, Kant was appointed as the Managing Director of the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Special |first1=Correspondent |title=With another extension as Niti Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant remains influential policymaker |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/with-another-extension-as-niti-aayog-ceo-amitabh-kant-remains-influential-policymaker/article35051260.ece |access-date=23 April 2024 |work=30 June 2021 |agency=The Hindu}}</ref> known as '[[Matsyafed]]'. In this role, he is credited with introducing fibreglass boats and outboard motor technology in the fisheries sector, as well as launching beach-level auctions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cover Story |url=https://www.bindugopalrao.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Amitabh-Kant.pdf |website=bindugopalrao |publisher=Hotelier India Awards 2022 |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref>

As District Collector of [[Kozhikode]] (Calicut), he played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Calicut airport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Rahul |title=Lunch with BS: Amitabh Kant |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/lunch-with-bs-amitabh-kant-116011500618_1.html |access-date=4 April 2024 |agency=Business Standard |publisher=Business Standard |date=16 Jan 2016}}</ref> His efforts included revamping the [[Mananchira|Mananchira Maidan]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=I |first1=Sreenath |title=How Mananchira became the pride of Kozhikode residents |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/in-depth/manorama-news-conclave-2017/2017/06/03/how-mananchira-became-pride-kozhikode-residents.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=Malayala Manorama |publisher=OnManorama |date=3 June 2017}}</ref> reconstructing the building of the Kozhikode Public Library and Research Centre,<ref>{{cite news |author=Staff Reporter |title=Library Council takes over Mananchira public library |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/library-council-takes-over-mananchira-public-library/article18664085.ece |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu |date=31 May 2017}}</ref> and organising the 'Malabar Mahotsav' cultural festival.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bansal |first1=Rashmi |title=Shine Bright |date=20 May 2019 |publisher=Westland |pages=292 |url=https://pdfcoffee.com/shine-bright-rashmi-bansal-pdf-free.html |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref>

As Tourism Secretary in Kerala, Kant promoted the state as a tourist destination,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Kerala tourism secretary job was seen as a lousy posting: Amitabh Kant |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/anniversary/story/20210104-the-kerala-tourism-secretary-job-was-seen-as-a-lousy-posting-1753041-2020-12-25 |access-date=2023-03-06}}</ref> and is credited with popularising the slogan "Kerala: God's Own Country" during his tenure.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Harikishan |title=The face behind India's G20 prep: Sherpa Amitabh Kant |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/the-face-behind-indias-g20-prep-sherpa-amitabh-kant-8930861/ |access-date=23 April 2024 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=10 September 2023}}</ref>

After his term in Kerala, Kant was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism in 2001, where he stayed till 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=The making of an incredible story |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/the-making-of-an-incredible-story-50444-2009-06-20 |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=India Today Group |publisher=India Today |date=21 June 2009}}</ref> During this time, he conceived the 'Incredible India' campaign through [[Ogilvy and Mather]], intending to transform India into a sought-after tourist destination.<ref>{{cite news |title=How a punishment posting for Amitabh Kant gave birth to Incredible India campaign|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/how-a-punishment-posting-for-amitabh-kant-gave-birth-to-incredible-india-campaign-122240.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=exchange4media |publisher=exchange4media |date=6 September 2022}}</ref> He also conceptualised and executed the 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (Guest is God) campaign to train taxi drivers, tourist guides and immigration officials.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amitabh Kant gets two-year extension as Niti Aayog CEO |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/amitabh-kant-gets-two-year-extension-as-niti-aayog-ceo/articleshow/69958604.cms |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=Times of India |publisher=Times of India |date=26 June 2019}}</ref>

Later, as the Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Kant drove initiatives such as "[[Make in India]]", "[[:simple:Startup India Start Up India|Start Up India]]" and "[[Ease of doing business index|Ease of Doing Business]]".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mathur |first1=Nandita |title=Amitabh Kant: The intention is to make India a hub of manufacturing |url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/dxn8eCtZ1VauUiOXShNzHL/Amitabh-Kant--The-intention-is-to-make-India-a-hub-of-manuf.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=The Mint |publisher=The Mint |date=15 February 2016}}</ref>

Kant was CEO of NITI Aayog from 2016 to 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant gets another extension, till June 2022 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/niti-aayog-ceo-amitabh-kant-gets-another-extension-till-june-2022/articleshow/83958576.cms?from=mdr |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=The Economic Times |publisher=The Economic Times |date=29 June 2021}}</ref> During his tenure, he chaired Empowered Group 3 for COVID-19 management and initiated national-level projects like Asset Monetization and National Mission for Transformative Mobility. Additionally, he advocated for natural farming methods.
<ref>{{cite news |last1=Unknown |first1=Surabi |title=A man for all seasons: Here's what makes Amitabh Kant one of India's finest policymakers |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/deep-dive/story/a-man-for-all-seasons-heres-what-makes-amitabh-kant-one-of-indias-finest-policymakers-420904-2024-03-11 |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=Money Control |publisher=Money Control |date=17 March 2024}}</ref> In this role, he drove India's [[Aspirational Districts Programme]] (ADP), aimed at improving the socio-economic indicators of 112 of India's most backwards districts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chatterji |first1=Saubhadra |title=UN arm's report praises govt over Aspirational Districts programme |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/un-arm-s-report-praises-govt-over-aspirational-districts-programme-101623445712970.html |access-date=23 April 2024 |agency=Hindustan Times |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=12 June 2021}}</ref>

He served as India's [[G20]] Sherpa to Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] from 8 July 2022 till 16 June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-08 |title=Amitabh Kant set to be India's G20 sherpa |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amitabh-kant-set-to-be-india-s-g20-sherpa-101657220476643.html |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

''India Today's'' High & Mighty rankings of 2019 featured Kant as one of the most powerful people in India under the category of "The Supercrats - India's Top Bureaucrats".<ref>{{cite web |title=The most powerful people of India 2019 - Full list |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/the-most-powerful-people-of-india-2019-full-list-1574021-2019-07-26 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=India Today}}</ref>

==Publications==

Kant is the author of books ''Branding India-An Incredible Story'', ''Incredible India 2.0'', ''Made in India: 75 Years of Business and Enterprise'', ''The Elephant Moves: India's New Place in the World co-authored with Amit Kapoor'' and ''How India scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of The G20''. He is also the editor of ''The Path Ahead- Transformative Ideas for India'' and has written over 500 articles in leading Indian and foreign publications.

== Honours ==
* [[File:JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 2Class BAR.svg|55px|ribbon bar]] [[Order of the Rising Sun|The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star]] (2023)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/100575204.pdf|title= 令和5年秋の外国人叙勲受章者名簿|access-date= November 3, 2023|work= Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
In December 2020, Kant attracted controversy after remarking at a public event, organized by [[Swarajya (magazine)|Swarajya magazine]], that enacting "tough reforms" were hard in India, since it is "too much of a democracy".<ref>{{Cite web |title='Tough Reforms Difficult in India, We Are Too Much of a Democracy,' Says Niti Aayog CEO |url=https://thewire.in/government/tough-reforms-difficult-in-india-we-are-too-much-of-a-democracy-says-niti-aayog-ceo |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Niti Aayog CEO's statement is a warning to the people |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/why-niti-aayog-ceos-statement-is-a-warning-to-the-people/cid/1800650 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Niti Aayog's Kant denies saying India is 'too much of a democracy', Twitter users share event clip|url=https://scroll.in/latest/980656/niti-aayogs-kant-denies-saying-india-is-too-much-of-a-democracy-twitter-users-share-audio-clip|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Scroll.in|date=8 December 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hindustan Times withdraws report on Niti Aayog CEO's 'too much democracy' comment|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/12/08/hindustan-times-withdraws-report-on-niti-aayog-ceos-too-much-democracy-comment|access-date=2020-12-09|website=Newslaundry}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kant, Amitabh}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Indian Administrative Service officers]]
[[Category:NITI Aayog members]]

Amitabh Kant - Revision history

RonaldKign at 10:12, 3 February 2026