This is the best job I ever had and probably ever will: CEA Arvind Subramanian

Arvind Subramanian, who is leaving his job for the US, thanked his boss, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, for his tenure as India's chief economic advisor . "It was a dream job , had a great time working with Arun Jaitley...I will go back with the happiest memories of the tenure," he said.

In a press conference, the CEA said he intends to leave India by September 2018 for purely " personal reasons".

The Indian-born, Oxford-educated economist was picked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the post, which was left vacant by former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Raghuram Rajan when he took over the reins of India's central bank.

Subramanian had earlier worked with Rajan at the IMF.

When asked as to when he would be leaving, he said the exact date has not yet been decided

"I would be leaving in a month or two," Subramanian said, adding that he was expecting a grand child in September.

The process of finding his successor will start soon, he said.

Subramanian said that he is returning to old life of writing, researching and teaching, but "will always be committed to serve the country".

While recounting various achievements such as launch of JAM and universal basic inco me, he said, "This is the best job I ever had and probably ever will be."

On the controversial lateral entry scheme, Subramanian said that every job should get the best person. "It is all about competence, competence and competence."

Here's the statement issued by Arvind Subramanian: