Shri Debasish Panda is a proud son of Odisha. Currently, he is holding the most coveted position of Chairperson of IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Of India). Mr. Panda has held several positions of high repute before becoming the chairperson of IRDAI on March 14, 2022. He had started his professional career as an IAS Officer with all efficacy.

Before joining IRDAI, Mr. Panda worked as the Secretary in the Department of Financial Services in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, where he retired on December 31, 2021. Apart from holding the secretary position in the Ministry of finance, he also served as the Joint Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Additional Secretary, and Special Secretary (Financial Services) for the Government of India.

Shri Debasish Panda is an IAS officer (Indian Administrative Service Officer) of the 1987 batch. He was born in Odisha and was a great scholar right from his childhood days. Mr. Panda did his post-graduation in Physics and his masters in Developmental management. Apart from that, he has also done his M.Phil degree in Environmental Sciences. Moreover, he has also undergone foreign training in Public Administration from USA & Philippines. Therefore, it shows that right from his childhood to his entire educational period, Mr. Panda was a very bright student. Moreover, it also shows that he was determined about what he wanted to achieve in his career and worked hard day and night to pursue his goals and ambitions.

Apart from working in various governmental secretary positions, he has served as an IAS officer in several places in Uttar Pradesh. In the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Panda served as District Magistrate in Deoria, Tehri, Uttarakashi & Ghaziabad Districts. Moreover, he was also the Principal Secretary (Home & Vigilance). He also held the dual charge of Resident Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh and as the Chief Executive Officer, Greater Noida Development Authority. It shows the bright professional career Mr. Debasish Panda had during his IAS working days.

Finally, after having an illustrious professional career of nearly four decades, Shri Debasish Panda was elected as the Chairperson ofIRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Of India). He joined his tenure as the Chairperson of IRDAI on March 14, 2022, and will serve the office for a tenure of three years as insurance regulatory body chief.

Debasish Panda’s appointment as the Chairperson of IRDAI was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Being a former DFS Secretary and also being a competent administrative officer for several years, pointed out in favor of Mr. Panda to hold this high-profile post. The appointment committee was convinced with conviction that Shri Debasish Panda is the rightful candidate for the post as his wide array of professional experience will help to tackle the formidable situations with alleviation that might arise during his tenure of work. As per the reports, he has been initially appointed for a tenure of three years, but the tenure might extend as well.

Once the Central Government issued an inviting notification of applications for the new Chairman on April 30, 2021, there were around 30 people applied for the post of chairman. It included a dozen bureaucrats, two serving Members of the Authority, and a couple of CEOs of private insurance companies. However, the committee found Shri Debasish Panda as the rightful candidate for his outstanding professional career over a span of more than three decades.

Under the leadership of Debasish Panda, IRDAI is making a series of reforms to promote the ease of doing business. Mr. Panda has ensured several working groups to comprehensively review the existing regulations under the aegis of the Life Insurance Council and General Insurance Council, respectively.

Under his leadership, IRDAI has also developed a mechanism to process applications filed for registration of new insurers and for grant of certificate of registration to commence the insurance business in India. Also, there is an implementation of new motor insurance add-on covers, namely “pay as you drive” and “pay how you drive,” which is expected to make own damage covers cheaper and drive more penetration.

Mr. Panda has also made sure that there is relaxation in the solvency capital requirement to promote the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, the flagship government scheme to expand life insurance coverage to the poor and underprivileged.

Mr. Debasish Panda has made every Odia proud by getting appointed as the Chairperson of IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Of India). His illustrious professional career shows the importance of taking seriousness in academics to accomplish greater ambitions in life. His life teaches us that if one wants to be extraordinary in their life, then hard work, dedication, and determination should be existent throughout one’s life.

Editorial By- Saayak Karmakar, Resident Editor, Interview Times

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