In 2017, who was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a new Executive Director?

Introduction / Context:
The Reserve Bank of India, as the central bank of the country, frequently appears in competitive exam questions, especially with regard to key appointments and policy roles. Executive Directors are senior officials who handle important departments within the RBI. This question checks whether candidates are aware of who was appointed as an Executive Director in 2017.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The organisation involved is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The role mentioned is that of an Executive Director.
The appointment took place in 2017.
Several possible names of senior women officers and one other official are given as options.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is factual recall of institutional and financial sector appointments. Candidates who regularly follow RBI related news and economic current affairs will remember that Smt. Malvika Sinha was appointed as an Executive Director in 2017. Identifying the correct name based on this memory is the key to answering this question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the year 2017 and the specific role of Executive Director in RBI. Step 2: Recall the news item announcing the appointment and remember the name of the officer involved. Step 3: Compare the recalled name with the options and select Smt. Malvika Sinha as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
This fact can be confirmed from official RBI press releases and reliable financial news sources. These sources clearly state that Smt. Malvika Sinha was appointed as Executive Director in 2017, validating that option A is accurate. Checking multiple independent sources eliminates any lingering doubts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Smt. Girija Rana and Smt. Indira Devi are not associated with this specific 2017 appointment in RBI, so options B and C are incorrect.
CP Rajan is also not the person named in the official notifications for this Executive Director role during that period, so option D is wrong.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to guess based on how familiar or formal a name sounds, rather than on genuine recall of the news. Candidates may also confuse this appointment with other positions in financial institutions. Regular revision of important appointments in the banking sector, along with careful reading of the roles, helps to avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
The new Executive Director appointed by the RBI in 2017 was Smt. Malvika Sinha.