New Delhi: One of India’s most celebrated bureaucrats, Amitabh Kant, has formally retired after an illustrious 45-year career in public service, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape modern India’s tourism image and economic policy landscape.
The former G20 Sherpa and CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant announced his resignation, stating his desire to embrace new opportunities and move into the next chapter of his life. “After 45 years of dedicated service to the nation, it’s time to explore new possibilities,” Amitabh Kant said.
An IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, Kant began his journey as Sub-Collector of Thalassery. He later held key roles including Managing Director of Matsyafed, District Collector of Kozhikode, and Kerala’s Tourism Secretary, where he played a pivotal role in the revamp of Mananchira Ground and the expansion of Kozhikode Airport.
He shot to national fame for coining and promoting the iconic ‘Kerala: God’s Own Country’ tagline. In 2001, as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, he launched the globally acclaimed ‘Incredible India’ campaign, transforming India’s image on the global tourism map.
Later, as Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Kant led visionary initiatives like ‘Make in India,’ ‘Startup India,’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ which helped boost India’s position as a business-friendly destination.
From 2016 to 2022, he served as the CEO of NITI Aayog, India’s top policy think tank, driving transformational reforms across sectors. He was subsequently appointed as India’s G20 Sherpa, representing the nation during its presidency of the influential global economic forum.
Amitabh Kant’s departure marks the end of a golden era in Indian public service — a journey defined by innovation, impact, and national transformation.
