Amitabh Kant Steps Down as India's G20 Sherpa, Ending 45-Year Government Service
Veteran bureaucrat Amitabh Kant has stepped down as India’s G20 Sherpa, marking the end of a distinguished 45-year career in government service. A retired 1980-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, Kant announced his resignation via a post on LinkedIn, stating his intention to explore new avenues in the private and academic sectors.
Kant was appointed as India’s G20 Sherpa in July 2022, shortly before the country assumed the G20 presidency. As Sherpa, he played a pivotal role in shaping India's agenda during its historic G20 leadership in 2023, which culminated in the successful adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, despite global geopolitical tensions.
“After 45 years of dedicated service to the Government, I have decided to embrace new opportunities and begin a new chapter,” Kant wrote in his farewell note. “I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for accepting my resignation as India’s G20 Sherpa and for the trust he placed in me to drive developmental initiatives that shaped India’s growth trajectory.”
Key Roles and Contributions
Kant previously served as CEO of NITI Aayog from February 2016 to June 2022, becoming the institution’s longest-serving chief. Under his leadership, NITI Aayog laid the groundwork for India’s digital public infrastructure, spearheaded policy reforms across sectors, and championed innovation through the Atal Innovation Mission, Green Hydrogen Mission, and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes.
In his message, Kant also acknowledged senior leaders including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra, expressing gratitude for their support.
“We helped lay the foundations for India’s digital public infrastructure and pushed policy reforms across sectors—from manufacturing to sustainability. These efforts positioned India as a global leader in innovation and climate action,” Kant noted.
As Sherpa, he was also instrumental in advancing India’s commitment to global equity, most notably by advocating for and achieving the inclusion of the African Union into the G20, thereby amplifying the voice of the Global South on a major international platform.
Kant expressed his intention to contribute to India’s future growth trajectory through engagements with startups, think tanks, and academic institutions.
“I now look forward to India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by supporting free enterprise, innovation, and intellectual leadership,” he said.
His resignation marks the end of an era in Indian public administration, but his influence is expected to continue through his work in the private and policy spheres.