Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited has signaled a strategic refresh at the top, naming two seasoned additions to its board. In a move aimed at strengthening governance and strategic oversight, the bank announced the appointment of Ashish Kundra, IAS, as an Additional Director in the category of Rotational Directors, effective April 23, 2026. Alongside him, Pravin Raghavendra, also an Additional Director, will join as an Independent Director for a three-year term from the same date. The announcements were disclosed following the board meeting held on April 22, 2026.
Kundra brings a bureau of governance and public administration experience to the table. An IAS officer from the 1996 batch (AGMUT cadre), he is presently serving as the Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, a post he assumed on January 1, 2026. His career spans high-impact roles in Delhi’s municipal and transport policy-making, urban development, and infrastructure, with notable work in election management as Chief Electoral Officer in Mizoram. He has also held senior administration roles across Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, and has previously administered the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Beyond public service, Kundra authored a book on Northeast development, signaling a capacity to blend policy, governance, and regional development insights with a broad, strategic outlook.
Raghavendra, a banking veteran with more than three decades in the sector, arrives as a counterpart to Kundra’s governance background. He is a former Deputy Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer of State Bank of India, where he oversaw day-to-day operations across more than 24,000 branches, spearheaded digital transformation, and led initiatives in risk governance and customer service transformation. His remit has included agriculture and SME portfolios, with a track record of expanding credit facilities, digital reach, and operational efficiency. His career also features leadership of SBI’s Mumbai Metro Circle during the Covid-19 period, a tenure noted for growth in SME lending and digital banking.
Taken together, the appointments position Jammu and Kashmir Bank to leverage deep governance experience from public administration and robust, customer-centric banking leadership. The board’s enhanced mix of policy acumen and operational execution signals a sharpened focus on governance, development finance, and strategic growth as the bank navigates a dynamic financial landscape.