The Union government has appointed former Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). Mishra, a 1984-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from the Income Tax cadre, will serve in the rank and pay of a secretary to the Government of India.
The official appointment order, issued on Tuesday, confirmed that the decision was approved by the Prime Minister. His tenure in the council will be governed by the standard terms and conditions applicable to re-employed government officials.
Mishra served as the head of the Enforcement Directorate from 2018 until September 15, 2023. His tenure, initially set to conclude in 2020, was extended multiple times through government orders and legal modifications. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the extensions beyond the initial one were not legally valid, leading to his departure from office in September 2023.
During his leadership at the ED, the agency was at the center of several high-profile financial investigations. It also faced scrutiny and criticism over allegations of being used to target political opponents of the ruling establishment. Despite this, the government defended his extended tenure, citing the importance of his role, particularly in the country review process of the UN’s Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for India.
Mishra’s appointment to the EAC-PM follows a vacancy that arose after the passing of the council’s former chairman, Bibek Debroy, in November 2024. The Economic Advisory Council functions as an independent body tasked with providing expert analysis and recommendations on economic and policy-related matters to the Prime Minister. The current chairman of the EAC-PM is economist Suman Berry.
As a member of the advisory council, Mishra will be responsible for evaluating economic trends, assessing macroeconomic challenges, and formulating policy recommendations for the Prime Minister. His extensive experience in financial investigations and revenue administration is expected to contribute to the council’s ongoing efforts to address economic concerns and provide strategic policy insights.
The EAC-PM plays a crucial role in shaping economic policies, and its members are entrusted with advising the government on issues related to fiscal management, economic growth, and financial stability. Mishra’s appointment signals the government’s emphasis on leveraging expertise in financial enforcement and regulatory frameworks to strengthen economic governance in the country.
With his transition from the ED to the EAC-PM, Mishra is set to take on a new role that will focus on broad economic policy rather than investigative functions. His inclusion in the council is expected to bring valuable perspectives on financial regulations, enforcement policies, and economic oversight.
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister is an independent body that provides policy advice on economic and related issues. Its responsibilities include analyzing economic trends, recommending measures to improve financial stability, and addressing macroeconomic challenges. The council functions under the leadership of its chairman and includes full-time and part-time members with expertise in various economic disciplines.
Mishra’s appointment underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening its economic advisory framework, ensuring a well-rounded approach to financial and economic policymaking.