Speeches & Media Interactions

I am very happy to be here among researchers and practitioners to participate in the Global Conference on Financial Resilience organised by the College of Supervisors of the Reserve Bank of India. I would like to convey my appreciations to the College of Supervisors (CoS) for organising this conference. I also congratulate the CoS for its accomplishments over the last two years. 2. In the context of the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and t

A very good evening to all of you. It is indeed a pleasure to be here and participate in the 31st annual management convention of Thrissur Management Association. As Socrates once said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." Little did we know, three years back, that we would face one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime - a pandemic that would upend our daily lives and force us to navigate through unknown, unforeseen, and unanticipated turbulenc

I am delighted to have been invited by Federal Bank to deliver the K P Hormis Commemorative Lecture today. Late Shri K P Hormis, the founder of the Federal Bank, was a great institution builder who recognised early the critical role of entrepreneurs in an economy, the importance of banks in providing finance, particularly to small scale entrepreneurs, and the need for prudence in banking business to preserve financial stability. 2. Despite the multiple and overlapping

Shri Injeti Srinivas (Chairperson, IFSCA), Shri B. P. Kanungo (Director, CAFRAL), faculty members of IIM Ahmedabad and CAFRAL, and distinguished participants of this conference, a warm greeting to you all! 1. I am delighted to be present here at this International Research Conference on FinTech. The theme on ‘Innovation, Inclusion, and Regulation’ in the context of the FinTech Revolution in India is indeed very topical and relevant to the times we live in. 2. New tech

1. A very good morning to all of you. It is indeed a pleasure to be here amidst all of you today at the 17th annual conference of FEDAI. These annual events of FEDAI provide an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas and thoughts among the foreign exchange market participants and I am sure this one will be no exception. 2. Today, as I speak to the market veterans assembled here in Cairo, it strikes me that it is fitting perhaps that this conference is being he

1. The Launching of Mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ today during the Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) 2023 reinforces RBI’s commitment to deepen digital payments in the country. 2. I am happy to note that the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS) of the RBI is celebrating its 18th anniversary (it was formed on March 7, 2005). Congratulations to team DPSS on this milestone. Over the years our payment systems have evolved and now we have multiple syste

1. Year-ends are usually a time for introspection and 2022 clearly offers a lot of food for thought. On the bright side, humanity seems to be finally putting the horrors of Covid behind it. The rest of the story is not so bright. The specter of war and geopolitical tension has reared its head again. We were told in the late 1990s that business cycles were dead and inflation has been conquered. After the financial crisis in advanced economies, the focus shifted to defl

I am delighted to be here with the economists of the Reserve Bank to inaugurate the annual research conference of the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR). This conference is being held after a gap of more than three years. While I have been regularly interacting with many of you individually or in groups to discuss various issues, this is the first time that I am addressing all of you at one place. 2. The economics profession today faces one of its tough

I am happy to have been invited to this Annual FIBAC 2022 Conference. This is an important forum for industry stalwarts, banking practitioners, thought leaders and policymakers to brainstorm on emerging issues. This conference is being held at a time when the global economy is going through a process of churning. Triple shocks of COVID-19, war in Ukraine and the current financial market turmoil have created a toxic mix of factors and circumstances which every country

I. Introduction: Indian Financial System- Looking back and looking ahead in the 75th year of Indian Independence Distinguished members of banking fraternity, ladies, and gentlemen It is a privilege to deliver the twelfth memorial lecture honouring the great legacy of late Shri R.K. Talwar. I feel thankful and humbled for this opportunity as an occasion to remember personality like Shri R.K. Talwar given his contribution to the banking industry. India recently celebrat

Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Hon’ble Ministers from the Central Government, Hon’ble Chief Ministers and Ministers from the State Governments, Hon’ble MPs and MLAs, Officers from Central and State Governments, Deputy Governors of RBI, MD&CEOs of Banks, Dignitaries and participants from across the country, Ladies and Gentlemen. 2. It is my proud privilege to welcome the Hon’ble Prime Minister to this event. His presence here is a great source of

I am delighted to be here today in the third edition of the Global Fintech Festival (GFF). I would like to congratulate the organisers – the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC) and the Payment Council of India (PCI) for organising this event. The theme of the event – Creating a sustainable financial world - is very relevant in current times. 2. In recent years, India has witnessed rapid progress in the financial service

1. I am happy to be part of this FIMMDA1 event today. I take this opportunity to place on record the RBI’s appreciation of the key role played by FIMMDA in the development of financial markets in India. 2. In my address this evening, I propose to reflect upon some recent financial market developments and our efforts to navigate through them in the prevailing global and domestic environment. I shall then touch upon some of our recent initiatives for the development of

I am delighted to be here among such a distinguished gathering at the Bank of Baroda Banking Conference. I wish to compliment the Bank of Baroda for organising this event and for having chosen ‘Banking Beyond Tomorrow’ as the theme of the Conference. Given that the banking landscape is witnessing far-reaching changes in the backdrop of rapid innovation, disruption and evolution of new business models, I believe this theme merits active discussion. 2. In my address tod

I am delighted to participate in the inaugural Kautilya Economic Conclave. I look forward to this forum emerging as a leading platform for thoughtful discussions on contemporary economic and policy issues. The conference is being attended by a host of dignitaries from India and abroad, and I am sure their insights on a vast canvas of topics will enhance our understanding of current and future issues. In my address today, I propose to focus on a matter that is now in e

It is a privilege to inaugurate the annual ‘Statistics Day Conference’ of the Reserve Bank. This annual event is taking place today in the physical mode after a gap of two years. On this day, the nation commemorates the contributions of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, one of the pioneers in the discipline of statistics and a true visionary. Professor C. R. Rao, a great statistician and a student of Professor Mahalanobis described him as “a physicist by trainin

It is my pleasure to be here amongst such a distinguished gathering to deliver the inaugural address at the Financial Express Modern BFSI Summit. The theme of my address “Disruptions & Opportunities in the Financial Sector’ will resonate in the current context of technological innovations and fast evolving business models in the financial sector. 2. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the recent geo-political crisis and the all-pervasive technological innovations swe

Good morning! 2. I am delighted to be here in Guwahati, the gateway to North-Eastern India. The ‘Annual Statistics Conference - 2022’ of the Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM), which is being held after a hiatus1 is an important event in the calendar of activities of the RBI. The earlier conference, which was scheduled here in March 2020 was cancelled a day before it was to commence due to the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. 3. The ancient name of

It is a great pleasure to address such an august gathering in this event organised by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Government of India as part of the Iconic week of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The topic I have chosen for my address today, namely, “Indian Businesses: Past, Present and Future” will resonate with the audience here. Businesses form the bedrock of an economy and on an occasion like this, it would

Central Banks are often viewed as traditional institutions that set monetary policies, issue currencies and regulate and supervise the financial sector segments and entities. For every economy to grow steadily and efficiently, this characteristic of a central bank is very important. Being a full service central bank, the RBI also plays a developmental role and is looked upon as a residual regulator as well. 2. RBI has been able to perform its varied roles with require

Shri Juzar Khorakiwala, President, Shri Anant Singhania, Vice-President, Shri Ajit Mangrulkar, Director General, Shri Sanjay Mehta and Ms. Sheetal Kalro, Deputy Director Generals, esteemed members of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and friends, I thank you for inviting me to deliver the keynote address in the Thought Leadership Series. From the time of its establishment in 1907, the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry has always been a thought leader itself

A very warm good morning and Namaskar. 1. On behalf of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India, I have the privilege of welcoming the Hon’ble Prime Minister to this event to launch two major initiatives of the Reserve Bank. Sir, your participation in this event is a source of great motivation for all of us in the RBI. I would also like to welcome the Hon’ble Finance Minister to this event and thank her for her continuing support. We are also honoured by the est

It gives me great pleasure to be here at the National Academy of Audit and Accounts (NAAA), Shimla today to address the probationers and other officers of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS). For the probationers, this is a time when they are embarking upon a journey in the service of the nation as the principal flag bearers of accountability and transparency in public finance and governance. 2. Civil Services play a pivotal role in the overall progress of a

Good morning. 1. Fintech, or technology that provides digital financial services is transforming the provision and delivery of financial services. At its most basic level digital technology enables speed – speed in processing information and speed in communication. Processing speed has reduced cost and time for transactions while communication speed has enhanced connectivity of systems expanding the reach of transactions. Taken together, digital technology is changing

Shri Nilesh Shah, Chairman, CII National Committee on Financial Markets, Shri Vishal Kampani, Co-Chair, Ms. Anuradha Salwan, Head, Financial Sector, CII, Ms. Amita Sarkar, Deputy Director General, CII and friends, I am honoured to be invited to deliver the keynote address in this plenary session of the 12th edition of the Financial Markets Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Over the years, the Summit has emerged as a flagship event for tak

It is my pleasure to be part of the Annual FIMMDA-PDAI Conference today. I take this opportunity to place on record the Reserve Bank’s deep appreciation of the key role played by FIMMDA and PDAI in the development of financial markets in India. Both organizations have played a significant role in improving the depth and liquidity of interest rate markets and in supporting primary issuance by the Government. Introduction 2. During May last year, in one of my statements

I wish to thank the organisers of the Economic Times Financial Inclusion Summit for inviting me to address this august gathering. Financial inclusion is a key driver of sustained and balanced economic growth which helps reduce income inequality and poverty. While we have made tremendous strides in this area over the years, the pandemic has created new challenges and complexities. The financial system will have a crucial role to fulfil the aspirations and needs of our

I would begin by thanking the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the invitation to address this eminent gathering, even if virtually – the compulsive reality of the current times. My heartiest congratulations to the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry for completing 184 years of successful functioning. Besides being the oldest serving Chamber in the country, you have left a significant mark on the destiny of this city as also of the nation. I am happy to

I wish to thank NCAER for inviting me to deliver the key note address at this webinar on National Strategy for Financial Education. I appreciate the thoughtful initiative of NCAER in choosing this topic for the webinar. As we inch towards the close of what has been an unprecedented year in terms of loss of lives and livelihood and the way of living in general, it would be appropriate to look at the area of financial inclusion and literacy which has both broad macro le