Former Union Secretary Dr K P Krishnan (Retd (IAS:1983:KN), on 07 August 2020, joined the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India's oldest economics think tank. He becomes the first-ever IAS officer to hold a full Professorship in NCAER. He brings with him vast experience in economics, management and the capital market.

Reportedly, the NCAER had interviewed him in March and in April it offered him the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), Chair Professorship in Regulatory Economics.

Since he retired as a Union Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) employment within one year of retirement required approval of the Government of India. Reportedly, following the consent of Prime Minister and further approval of Govt of India he joined NCAER.