Neelkanth Mishra Appointed as Indias Executive Director at the World Bank

June 5, 2026

New Delhi, June 5: In a significant move, senior economist Neelkanth Mishra has been appointed as India’s Executive Director at the World Bank. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He will assume this role for a three-year term at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Mishra will take over from Parmeshwaran Iyer, whose term has been extended until Mishra officially takes charge. Currently, Mishra is also a part-time member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM).

As India’s representative on the World Bank board, Mishra will oversee critical areas such as loan distribution, development projects, financial policies, and administrative decisions. This position is considered one of the most important responsibilities linked to India’s economic diplomacy, addressing issues related to global development financing, infrastructure investment, poverty alleviation, and economic growth.

Mishra is presently the Chief Economist at Axis Bank and also serves as the Head of Global Research and a full-time director at Axis Capital. He is regarded as one of India’s most respected economists and market strategists.

Before joining Axis Group in 2023, he spent nearly two decades at Credit Suisse, where he held the position of Managing Director and co-head of the Equity Strategy department for the Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, Mishra is a part-time chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and a part-time member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). He has also advised several key committees and institutions of the central government and has been associated with the 15th and 16th Finance Commissions.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), Mishra secured the fourth position in the All India IIT entrance examination. In recognition of his achievements, IIT Kanpur awarded him the “Distinguished Alumnus Award” in 2020.

In the early stages of his career, Mishra worked as a Senior Technical Architect at Infosys. Over the years, he has consistently ranked among India’s top analysts, earning widespread respect for his expertise in economic affairs, financial markets, and policy analysis.