How reward-driven are top-level appointments to World Bank and IMF?

Opinion is divided on the issue, with one section of experts and seasoned politicians claiming meritocracy isn't always at play, while another puts the choice down to plain pragmatism

The recent appointment of Parameswaran Iyer, former NITI Aayog CEO, to the post of World Bank’s executive director was the first such since 2014, in which a retired official was nominated by the government for such a position.  

After a six-month stint as Niti CEO, Iyer replaced Rajesh Khullar, who was repatriated six months before his term. Khullar was Principal Secretary to Haryana CM and had been Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, before his posting as the ED.

“World Bank and IMF are a path for government-to-government arrangements. India has a certain number of positions. These posts are usually