Prof. (Dr) Rajiv Kishore Dubey, Former CMD, Canara Bank
Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Kishor Dubey is a highly accomplished scholar and banking professional with an extensive academic background. He holds an M.A. in English Literature, LL.M., D. Lit., CAIIB, and an MBA in Human Resources. Additionally, he has completed a postgraduate course in Development Banking from Victoria University of Manchester, UK, and has attended a specialised program at Christ’s College, Cambridge University. In 2022,
He further cemented his academic credentials by earning a Ph.D.
With a career spanning decade, Prof. Dubey has held several prestigious positions in the banking sector. He served as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Canara Bank from January 2013 to September 2014, following his tenure as Executive Director (ED) at Central Bank of India from September 2010 to January 2013. His journey in banking began in November 1977 when he joined Punjab National Bank (PNB) as a Management Trainee.
Over the years, he rose through the ranks, achieving the position of General Manager (GM)
in March 2008, having worked in diverse operational and administrative roles across India.
During his tenure at Canara Bank, he led a remarkable turnaround in under two years,
revitalizing the institution by focusing on Retail and SME banking, technological
advancements, and marketing innovations. He introduced a dedicated marketing vertical,
leveraging technology to enhance fee income and drive business growth. His strategic
emphasis on asset quality, CASA (Current Account Savings Account), and fee income
optimization significantly improved the bank’s overall performance, earning widespread
recognition.
His leadership and transformation strategies have been documented as a case study by the
Ivey Business School, now part of the global curriculum. Furthermore, his leadership
philosophy has been extensively studied and featured in The Leadership Odyssey – From
Darkness to Light, authored by Late Padma Shri Prof. Dr. Pritam Singh. A prolific writer and
thought leader, Prof. Dubey has co-authored the E-book Data Protection & Privacy
Implementation – India Perspective, offering valuable insights into India’s evolving data
privacy landscape. Recognizing his contributions to academia and leadership, he was
conferred the title of Honorary Distinguished Professor by Sri Sharda Institute of Indian
Management – Research (Sri SIIM, New Delhi) in 2018.
Prof. Dubey continues to be actively involved in academia and corporate governance. He
serves as a mentor, advisor, and director for several leading companies and is an esteemed
Board Member of multiple academic institutions. His journey reflects a rare blend of
visionary leadership, deep academic insight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in
banking and education.
