Govt appoints Surjit Bhalla Executive Director for India at IMF

Gokarn, who died at the age of 59, was appointed executive director for India on the board of the IMF in November 2015. He was supposed to complete his term in October.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of Bhalla for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier, the order said.

He is also a Contributing Editor with The Indian Express.

Bhalla, an economist and columnist, in December last year resigned as part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). He holds a PhD in Economics from Princeton University, a Masters in Public and International Affairs from Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, and a BSEE degree from Purdue University.