Why does Uday Kotak becoming GIFT City chairman matter?

It signals a push to speed up decisions at India’s only IFSC. Investors value faster approvals, clearer operating rules, and steady supervision. With a seasoned banker at the helm, stakeholders expect tighter execution, better communication, and a focus on reducing friction for cross-border finance within GIFT City.

What is Gujarat International Finance Tec-City?

It is India’s sole International Financial Services Centre, designed for cross-border finance under a competitive policy framework. The goal is to host global-facing banking, market, and related services onshore in India, with clear rules, modern infrastructure, and a stable regulatory environment for international activity.

How could this appointment affect Indian investors?

If policy queues shorten and rules become clearer, Indian firms may get faster access to cross-border products, smoother onboarding, and better risk tools. Lower operating friction can improve pricing and service quality over time. The actual impact depends on visible process changes and consistent enforcement.

What near-term signals should we watch at India IFSC?

Look for time-bound licensing standards, simplified documentation, and unified guidance on settlement. Also track communications on supervision, inspections, and grievance handling. Clear, public updates from GIFT City authorities will indicate progress on execution and help firms plan capacity, product launches, and investment timelines.

Law and Government

February 14: Uday Kotak Named GIFT City Chairman to Accelerate IFSC

ByDanny Kontos February 14, 2026

Uday Kotak was named GIFT City chairman on February 14, replacing Hasmukh Adhia. The Gujarat move aims to speed up India’s sole International Financial Services Centre at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City. Investors expect quicker policy action, stronger global participation, and clearer onshore-offshore rules. Uday Kotak brings deep banking experience to a priority public project. We outline why this matters now, what could change next, and the signals India-focused investors should track as the IFSC targets scale and broader cross-border capital flows.