What’s Next for Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa? His Legacy and the Road Ahead

In the sprawling corridors of India’s bureaucracy, few names have become as synonymous with innovation, reform, and forward-looking policy as Amitabh Kant. After an extraordinary career spanning 45 years, the former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa has decided to hang up his official boots, but not his resolve to serve.

In a heartfelt social media post, Kant shared his decision to step away from government service and step into a new chapter, one that he hopes will support India’s transformation into a Viksit Bharat by enabling startups, free enterprise, think tanks, and academic institutions.

“After 45 years of dedicated service to the Government, I have decided to embrace new opportunities and begin a new chapter,” he wrote, adding that he was “deeply grateful” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting his resignation and for entrusting him with leading some of the country’s most ambitious development efforts.

Steering India Through the G20: A Global Moment for Bharat

For Kant, one of the crowning moments of his public life was leading India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, a period marked by global tensions and economic uncertainties. Yet, under his sherpa leadership, India managed to pull off what many believed was impossible: forging a unanimous New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration with all member nations on board.

“Despite complex global challenges, we achieved unanimous consensus... and refocused attention on key developmental issues,” he noted.

But the G20 presidency wasn’t just about high-level diplomacy, it was a showcase of India’s federal spirit. With over 200 meetings held across every Indian state and union territory, the presidency celebrated local culture, strengthened infrastructure, and reinforced the country’s commitment to inclusive growth.

“We successfully ensured the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, fulfilling India’s commitment to global equity and the voice of the Global South,” Kant proudly shared.

The NITI Aayog Era: A New Policy Thinking for a New India

Appointed as the first CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant’s role was foundational. The think tank wasn’t just an administrative rebranding of the Planning Commission; under him, it became the engine room of some of India’s most path-breaking governance experiments.

One standout program was the Aspirational Districts Programme, which focused on 115 of the country’s most backward districts. Through real-time data monitoring, targeted intervention, and competition among districts, the initiative brought noticeable improvements in health, education, and infrastructure.

Under his leadership, NITI Aayog also laid the groundwork for India’s digital public infrastructure and pushed major policy reforms like:

• The Atal Innovation Mission – fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among school children and young innovators.

• The Green Hydrogen Mission and Advanced Chemistry Cells – placing India at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation.

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes – encouraging domestic manufacturing.

“These efforts positioned India as a leader in innovation and climate action,” Kant noted in his farewell post.

Champion of Business Reforms: From Red Tape to Startup India

Before NITI Aayog, Kant had already been instrumental in revamping India’s industrial landscape as Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Here, he launched and drove critical initiatives that would lay the foundation for India's current startup boom:

• Ease of Doing Business: India jumped 79 places in the World Bank rankings during his tenure.

• Make in India: Revitalized the country’s manufacturing sector.

• Startup India: Created an ecosystem for early-stage innovation and entrepreneurship.

Each of these programs, often mocked when announced, are now central to India’s economic narrative — and Kant’s behind-the-scenes role has been quietly monumental.

Kerala to Delhi: A Grounded Start to a National Vision

Every strong tree begins with roots — and Kant’s were firmly planted in Kerala. As a young IAS officer, his grassroots work shaped his approach to governance. From the celebrated “God’s Own Country” campaign in Kerala to restoring Calicut’s public spaces and expanding its airport, Kant developed a unique blend of administrative grit and marketing imagination.

“My journey began in Kerala, where I learned the value of grassroots development,” he recalled.

His vision for promoting India’s soft power extended further as he went on to conceptualize the “Incredible India” campaign in the Ministry of Tourism. This wasn’t just a branding exercise — it was a turning point in how India told its story to the world. The campaign helped catalyze India’s image as a must-visit destination and spotlighted the tourism sector's potential as a job generator.

A Legacy Built on Reform, Vision, and Execution

Across departments, roles, and ideologies, one thing remained constant: Kant’s clarity of vision. He never saw his job as merely implementing policy — he believed in building it from scratch, backed by data, innovation, and human impact.

In his farewell, Kant extended his gratitude to several key leaders including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Principal Secretary to the PM, P.K. Mishra — acknowledging their role in shaping his journey.

“India has always been, and will always be, Incredible. Humbled to have played a small role. Thank you for being part of this journey,” he wrote.

The Next Chapter: Fueling a Nation of Dreamers

So, what lies ahead for Amitabh Kant?

He may have left the formal government fold, but make no mistake — his journey is far from over. With decades of experience, a global perspective, and the heart of a reformer, Kant is now poised to empower those shaping India’s tomorrow — startups, entrepreneurs, research hubs, and policy thinkers.

“I now look forward to India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions.”

Kant represents a unique blend of bureaucratic experience and startup-style agility — a rare profile in India’s development ecosystem. And as the nation marches forward in its Amrit Kaal, his continued involvement from the outside may be just what India’s next leap needs.

A Legacy That Will Continue to Inspire

As he walks into this new chapter, one thing is certain: Amitabh Kant leaves behind more than a decorated resume. He leaves a legacy of possibility — that it is indeed possible to reimagine government, make institutions work, push reforms against the tide, and still remain grounded.

For India’s young changemakers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, Kant’s journey is a playbook of how to blend vision with execution, and ambition with public service.

And for the nation, his next act might just be as impactful as his last.