A Peek into IAS Amitabh Kant's Initiatives and how Odisha also benefited

Amitabh Kant, one of India’s most visionary and impactful civil servants, has stepped down as the G20 Sherpa, marking the end of an illustrious 45-year career. From pioneering global campaigns like Incredible India to shaping India’s historic G20 presidency, Kant’s contributions have left a nationwide imprint, including significant developmental strides in Odisha.

As CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant led the transformative Aspirational Districts Programme, aimed at fast-tracking progress in India’s most underdeveloped regions. 

IAS Amitabh Kant & Odisha:

Odisha was among the key beneficiaries, with districts such as Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, and Koraput witnessing tangible improvements in health, education, nutrition, and infrastructure. 

By championing data-driven governance and real-time monitoring, Kant’s vision helped bridge regional disparities and empowered local administrations, directly improving the lives of thousands in Odisha’s tribal heartland.

IAS Kant Means Innovation in Public Policy & Service Delivery

A 1980-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, Kant has been synonymous with innovation in public policy and service delivery. His journey began in the coastal state of Kerala, where he launched the now-iconic God’s Own Country campaign — a breakthrough in tourism marketing. This grassroots engagement inspired a lifelong commitment to people-centric governance.

As Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, he took India’s global image to new heights with the Incredible India campaign, celebrating the country’s cultural and ecological diversity, and amplifying its tourism potential on the world stage.

Reforms to Boost Industrial Growth

Later, as Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (now DPIIT), Kant spearheaded reforms to boost industrial growth and simplify doing business in India. He was the driving force behind Make in India and Startup India, which continue to anchor the country's manufacturing and innovation landscape.

From 2016 to 2022, at the helm of NITI Aayog, Kant not only transformed backward districts but also led the policy push for digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and cutting-edge innovation through the Green Hydrogen Mission and the Atal Innovation Mission.

In 2023, his leadership as India’s G20 Sherpa delivered a historic milestone — securing unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration amid complex geopolitical divides. Under his guidance, India’s G20 presidency became a model of inclusivity, with meetings held across all states and Union Territories, showcasing local culture and strengthening cooperative federalism.

The inclusion of the African Union in the G20, a key achievement of India’s presidency, also fulfilled the country's commitment to the Global South — a vision Kant helped bring to life on the world stage.

In his farewell note titled My New Journey, Kant expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and senior ministers for their trust. “India has, and will always be, Incredible,” he wrote, “In a small way, I have contributed to helping the world recognise that.”

As he enters a new phase, Kant plans to support startups, think tanks, academic institutions, and free enterprise, continuing his contribution to India’s developmental journey.

From empowering Odisha’s remotest villages to guiding global consensus at the G20, Amitabh Kant’s legacy is a rare blend of grassroots impact and global leadership — a true testament to transformative public service.