Ex-World Bank Executive Shabnam Sinha Named Airtel Payments Bank Chair

Sinha, currently an independent director on the board, was appointed by the board with the Reserve Bank of India's approval. She chairs the Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds and serves on the Risk Management and Information Technology committees.

Her career spans three decades in financial services, public policy, and development finance. She leads the World Bank's India program for school education and skills, including the STARS project under the Samagra Shiksha program. Earlier roles include senior program advisor for education at USAID in New Delhi and work at the National Council of Educational Research and Training, where she focused on curriculum and textbook development.

Before her World Bank tenure, Sinha served as CEO of PPP Education at a large private-sector firm. She has advised governments across Asia, Africa, and Europe on governance, operational effectiveness, and risk management.

Her three-year term as chairperson begins October 1, 2026.