About N.K. Singh

Mr. N.K. Singh

Educational Attainments

• Officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Batch of 1964, Bihar.
• Masters in Economics, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi (1960-1962).
• Bachelors of Arts, Economics (Hons), St. Stephens College, Delhi (1957- 1960).
• Senior Cambridge, St. Xavier’s High School, Patna (1955- 1957).

Work History

2023 – Present

• Member, High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election.
• Co-convener, G20 Independent Expert Group on MDB Reforms.

2021 – Present

• President & Life Trustee, Institute of Economic Growth

2017 – 2023

• Chairman, 15th Finance Commission (XV FC)

2016 – 2017

• Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Review Committee

2014 – Present

• Member, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

2008 – 2014 (Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha)

• Member, Committee on External Affairs (2013–2014)
• Member, Public Accounts Committee (2012–2014)
• Member, Committee on MPLADS (2012–2014)
• Member, Committee on Public Undertakings (2011–2012)
• Member, Hindi Language (Basha) Committee (2010–2011)
• Member, Public Accounts Committee (2009–2011)
• Member, Rules Committee; Consultative Committee on Finance; House Committee (2009–2012)
• Parliamentary Forum on Global Warming and Climate Change (2008–2014)
• Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (2008–2012)

2006 – 2008 (Bihar)

• Deputy Chairman, Bihar State Planning Board, Patna

2004 – 2010

• Chairman, Management Development Institute (MDI)

1990 – 2004 (New Delhi)

• Member – Planning Commission (May 2001–June 2004)
• Chairman, National Taskforce on Power Sector Investment and Reforms
• Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Steering Group on Foreign Direct Investment
• Chairman, Group for Revival and Restructuring of the Textile Industry
• Chairman, National Taskforce on Future of the Entertainment and Fashion Industry
• Chairman, Steering Group, Roadmap for Hydrogen Energy in the Indian Economy
• Chairman, Group for medium-term economic strategy for the States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Maharashtra, and Sikkim.
• Chairman, Steering Group on Energy and Transport Policy.
• Chairman, Steering Group on Financial Resources and Management.
• Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Group on Tax Policy Chairman, Group on Infrastructure Policy.
• Secretary to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Aug 1998–May 2001)

August 1998-April 2001:

• Member Secretary, Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry
• Member Secretary, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council
• Member Secretary, Task Forces on Telecommunications, Infrastructure
• Member, Core Groups on Hydrocarbon Disinvestment; WTO negotiations; Economic Strategy
• Secretary, Revenue, Ministry of Finance (Aug 1996–Aug 1998)
• Secretary, Expenditure, Ministry of Finance (Aug 1995–Aug 1996)
• Joint Secretary, Dept. of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance (June 1991–Aug 1995)
• Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (May 1990–June 1991)

1986 – 1990 (Bihar)

• Principal Secretary, Industries & Industrial Development Commissioner (May 1987–May 1990)
• Additional Finance Commissioner (Jan 1986–May 1987)

1981 – 1985 (Japan)

• Minister (Economic & Commercial Affairs), Indian Embassy, Tokyo
• (Played a catalytic role in facilitating Maruti Suzuki's entry into India and in garnering broader Japanese investment in the Indian economy)

1980 – 1981 (New Delhi)

• Special Assistant to Commerce Minister

1977 – 1980 (Bihar)

• Chairman, Bihar State Electricity Board (Oct 1979–Jan 1980)
• Special Secretary, Irrigation Dept., Patna (May 1977–Oct 1979)

1969 – 1977 (New Delhi)

• Special Assistant to Commerce Minister (Oct 1973–Mar 1977)
• Under Secretary, Ministry of Commerce (July 1969–July 1973)

1964 – 1969 (Bihar)

• Deputy Secretary, Finance Dept., Patna Secretariat (Sep 1968–July 1969)
• Under Secretary, Public Works Dept., Patna Secretariat (July–Sep 1968)
• Sub Divisional Officer, Danapur (1967–1968)
• Sub Divisional Officer, Buxar (1966–1967)
• Magistrate (in training), Ranchi District Administration (1966)
• Assistant Settlement Officer, Madhipura (1965)

International Responsibilities:

• Leader, Indian Delegation to Asian Development Bank Annual Meetings (1991- 1995)
• Member, Indian Delegation to Annual and Spring Meetings of World Bank, IMF (1991- 1995)
• Participated in meetings of the Aid India Consortium/India Development Forum (1991- 1995).
• Member, Core Group for negotiations in Global Environment Facility (1993 – 1994)
• Chairman, Global Environment Facility (GEF) (1993 - 1994).
• Vice Chairman-cum-Rapporteur, Preparatory Committee for the Special Session of the UN Conference on Drugs and Narcotics Chairman, United Nations High Level Expert Group on Drugs & Narcotics (1997 - 1998).
• Regular Panellist and Faculty Member, World Economic Forum Coordinator, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Advisory Group on Privatization & Strategic Issues (1998 - 2006).
• Member, Foundation Board, Forum of Young Global Leaders, World Economic Forum.
• Member, United Nations Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM).
• Senior Short Term Visiting Fellow, Center for Research on Economic Development and Policy Reform (CREDPR), Stanford University,.
• Guest Lecturer, Stanford University, INSEAD, Brookings Institution, and various universities in Japan and Singapore.
• Conferred the 2nd Class Gold and Silver of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese Government. (2016)
• Recipient of the LSE Honorary Fellowship (2024)

Additional Responsibilities:

• Co-chairman, India Advisory Board, Columbia University (2011 - Present).
• Member, Governing Board, Nalanda International University (2007- Present).
• Chairman, Management Development Institute (MDI) (2004 - 2010).
• Strategic Advisor, UBS India
• Member, Coca Cola Advisory Board
• Strategic Advisor, Boston Consulting
• Columnist, Indian Express
• Lecturer in Economics (1963): St. Stephens College, Delhi.