A prominent backer of the Indian government’s controversial demonetisation policy has been chosen to take over as Reserve Bank of India governor, a day after the sudden resignation of Urjit Patel.

Shaktikanta Das, a former civil servant in Narendra Modi’s administration, takes over the governorship for a three-year term, according to a brief statement issued by the government.

Das was joint secretary for budget in the department of economic affairs, and earlier in his career held several