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Question

The first Governor of RBI was ________.

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2023 Previous Year Paper (13-Oct-2023) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

Sir Osborne Smith

Understanding the First RBI Governor

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India, responsible for regulating the country's currency and credit system. It was established on April 1, 1935, based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission (also known as the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance).

Every central bank has a head, typically known as the Governor. The question asks specifically about the person who held this position first, right from the inception of the RBI.

Identifying the First Governor of RBI

Let's look at the options provided and determine who was the first Governor of the Reserve Bank of India:

  • Sir CD Deshmukh: He was an Indian economist and the first Indian Governor of the RBI. He served from 1943 to 1949. So, he was not the very first Governor overall.
  • NC Sen Gupta: He served as the acting Governor for a very short period in 1975. Definitely not the first.
  • HVR Iyengar: He served as the sixth Governor of the RBI from 1957 to 1962. Not the first.
  • Sir Osborne Smith: He was a British banker and the first Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He served from April 1, 1935, to June 30, 1937.

Based on historical records, Sir Osborne Smith was indeed the person who took office as the very first Governor when the RBI was founded in 1935.

Name Association with RBI Governor Role Timeline
Sir CD Deshmukh First Indian Governor 1943 - 1949
NC Sen Gupta Acting Governor Brief period in 1975
HVR Iyengar Sixth Governor 1957 - 1962
Sir Osborne Smith First Governor 1935 - 1937

Therefore, the first Governor of the RBI was Sir Osborne Smith.

Revision Table: Key RBI Governors

Governor Name Term Start Term End Notes
Sir Osborne Smith 1935 1937 First Governor of RBI
Sir James Braid Taylor 1937 1943 Second Governor
Sir CD Deshmukh 1943 1949 First Indian Governor
Dr. Manmohan Singh 1982 1985 Later served as Prime Minister of India

Additional Information about RBI Governors

The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is appointed by the Government of India. The Governor plays a crucial role in shaping India's monetary policy and overseeing the banking system.

  • The term of office for the Governor is typically three years, although it can be extended.
  • The RBI Headquarters was initially in Kolkata but moved to Mumbai in 1937.
  • The role requires expertise in economics, finance, and banking regulation.
  • Notable Governors after independence include Sir Benegal Rama Rau (longest-serving), LK Jha, I.G. Patel, Dr. Raghuram Rajan, and Shaktikanta Das (current).
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