After the resignation of Urjit Patel in December 2018, who was appointed as the new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India?

Introduction / Context:
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is a key figure in the Indian economy, responsible for monetary policy, regulation of banks, and financial stability. Changes in this position are significant events and often feature in current affairs questions. In December 2018, after the resignation of Governor Urjit Patel, the Government of India appointed a new RBI Governor. This question asks you to recall the name of that successor.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Urjit Patel resigned from the post of RBI Governor in December 2018.
A new Governor was appointed immediately after his resignation.
The options list Urjit Patel, Shaktikanta Das, Raghuram Rajan, and Smt. Pallavi Nair.
We assume the question refers to the official appointment notified by the Government of India.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this, you must connect the timeline of RBI Governors. Raghuram Rajan served before Urjit Patel, and Shaktikanta Das was appointed after Urjit Patel. In December 2018, news outlets widely reported that former Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das had been chosen as the new RBI Governor. Recognising that the appointment came immediately after Urjit Patels resignation allows you to identify Shaktikanta Das as the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the sequence of RBI Governors: Raghuram Rajan, followed by Urjit Patel, followed by Shaktikanta Das. Step 2: Note that the question specifically refers to the new Governor appointed after Urjit Patels resignation in December 2018. Step 3: Remember that in December 2018, Shaktikanta Das was appointed to this post. Step 4: Compare this recollection with the options given. Step 5: Select Shaktikanta Das as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling that media discussions at that time emphasised Shaktikanta Dass experience in the Finance Ministry and his role in major economic decisions. There was also heavy coverage of market reactions to his appointment. Since Raghuram Rajan had already left the position earlier and Urjit Patel was the one resigning, neither of them can be the incoming Governor described in the question. The presence of a relatively unknown name such as Smt. Pallavi Nair further confirms that this is a distractor, and Shaktikanta Das is the only realistic and correct option.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Urjit Patel: He is the Governor who resigned in December 2018, not the person appointed after that resignation. Raghuram Rajan: He served as RBI Governor before Urjit Patel and left the post earlier, so he was not appointed in December 2018. Smt. Pallavi Nair: This name does not correspond to any official RBI Governor in the relevant timeline and is included only as a distractor.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may confuse the order of RBI Governors, especially between Raghuram Rajan and Urjit Patel. Others might misread the question and think it asks who resigned, rather than who was appointed after the resignation. To avoid these errors, remember the correct sequence and pay attention to words like after, new, or successor. Keeping a simple list of RBI Governors with their key dates during your exam preparation helps make such questions straightforward.

Final Answer:
The new Governor of the Reserve Bank of India appointed after Urjit Patels resignation in December 2018 was Shaktikanta Das.