India could soon have its first woman Chief Economic Advisor: Report

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• The Indian government is said to be considering World Bank lead economist Poonam Gupta for the role of Chief Economic Advisor (CEA).
  
• The position became vacant after Arvind Subramanian left the role months before his term was to expire .
  
• A government search committee is said to be looking at other candidates as well.

The Indian government is said to be considering World Bank Lead Economist Poonam Gupta to fill the role of Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), Economic Times reported. If confirmed, Gupta would become the first woman to hold the position.

Prior to joining World Bank in 2013, Gupta was Reserve Bank Of India Chair Professor at National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

The government’s search committee is also said to be considering other names including Sajjid Chinoy, chief India economist at JPMorgan, and Krishnamurthy Subramanian, a professor at the Indian School of Business.

India is seeking to fill the position after the abrupt resignation of Arvind Subramanian who left several months before his tenure as the government’s Chief Economic Advisor was to expire. Subramanian reportedly left because of “pressing family commitments.” He had been appointed as the CEA to the India’s finance ministry in October 2014.

Even though there are only six months remaining for the upcoming general elections, the Indian government has been looking for a ‘fresh face’ to seek expert advice amid global turmoil, according to the report.

The Finance Ministry appointed a search committee in October headed by former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan, who has been asked to shortlist suitable candidates.