Applications invited for the post of CEA

The finance ministry has invited applications for the post of chief economic adviser to replace Arvind Subramanian, who resigned last month to return to the US.

Officials of the central and state governments, public sector enterprises, public sector banks or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well as candidates from recognised universities or research institutions can apply for the post, as per an official circular. Subramanian’s last day in office is July 31.

All candidates except officers from central and state governments, RBI or PSEs must have at least a master’s degree in economics from a recognised university or institution. They should not be over the age of 56 on July 20, the last date for submission of applications, and be ready to assume the role on August 1.


The key responsibilities of the CEA include providing policy inputs on industrial development and foreign trade, conducting analysis of trends in industrial production and releasing statistical information on key economic indicators.

The Economic Survey of India is also compiled and released by the CEA. Subramanian assumed the role in October 2014 and stayed beyond the normal three-year term at the request of union minister Arun Jaitley. He is the longest serving CEA since Ashok Lahiri, who held the post from October 2002 to June 2007. Subramanian stated that he was leaving the role as he wanted to go back to “researching, writing, reading and reflecting above all”, as he awaited the birth of his first grandchild.

Subramanian’s predecessor, Raghuram Rajan, had held the post for just over a year before he was named the RBI governor.