Renowned economist Radhika Pandey passes away at 46. A tribute to her policy work, NIPFP legacy, and impact on India’s economic thought.
🌟 Introduction: A Bright Star Dimmed Too Soon
Economists are often seen through numbers, graphs, and policy notes — but some go beyond that.
Dr. Radhika Pandey was one such rare economist — a brilliant mind, a gentle presence, and a quiet force in shaping India’s macroeconomic landscape. Her sudden passing at the age of 46 has sent shockwaves through the academic and policy-making community.
In a world where headlines often chase volatility, Radhika brought clarity, depth, and calm. Whether through her insightful MacroSutra columns, her quiet leadership at NIPFP, or her behind-the-scenes role in India’s public debt and financial reforms, she touched lives beyond the classroom and conference halls.
As we reflect on her remarkable journey, this article pays tribute to the economist, the teacher, the mother, and the woman who shaped policy with precision — and always with purpose.
🧠 From BHU to NIPFP: Journey of Excellence
Dr. Radhika Pandey’s academic journey was nothing short of inspiring — a path shaped by deep curiosity, quiet resilience, and a love for economic reasoning. Born on 18 December 1978, she grew up with a keen interest in numbers, systems, and how policies affect real people.
🎓 Her first academic milestone came from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics — an experience that laid the foundation for her analytical acumen and sharp policy instincts.
She pursued her Master’s and Ph.D. in Economics from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. Those who knew her during her doctoral years often recall her ability to simplify complex macroeconomic models and apply them to real-world Indian contexts — something she would later become widely known for.
📚 Before joining the policy world, she began her teaching career at National Law University, Jodhpur, focusing on Finance and Law — an unusual combination that gave her an edge in understanding both theory and legal-economic frameworks.
But it was in 2008, when she joined the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), that her influence truly began to grow.
🏛️ At NIPFP, Radhika wasn’t just another researcher. She quickly became a pillar of the institute’s macroeconomic research team, contributing to vital topics such as:
- 📈 Inflation dynamics
- 💵 Public debt and fiscal discipline
- 📊 Monetary policy design
- 🏦 Financial sector reforms
Colleagues remember her as a thoughtful mentor, a rigorous scholar, and a team player who never chased the spotlight — but always delivered the substance.
💼 A Passion for Public Policy & Real Impact
- Radhika was the lead coordinator of the Public Debt Management Task Force (Ministry of Finance) since 2014. theprint.in+1business-standard.com+1
- She played roles in major committees like the Sri Krishna Commission on Financial Sector Reforms and other central government groups.
- Ila Patnaik, chief economist at Aditya Birla Group, praised her rare blend of academic rigor and policy pragmatism, saying, “There are so many policies… where you can see Radhika’s influence and research.”
📰 MacroSutra: Bringing Economics to the People
- Since 2021, Radhika penned the weekly column MacroSutra and made video explainers in ThePrint, making complex economic ideas accessible to the public.
- She also wrote for Business Standard, Bloomberg, Quint, and others—beloved by colleagues and readers.
- Mandar Kagade, founder of a policy firm, said, “She was one of the only people I went to for any query about financial policy… a great communicator.”
⚠️ Final Days: Health Crisis & Hospital Battle
- Earlier in June, she fell severely ill with typhoid, followed by jaundice that led to acute liver failure.
- Underwent an emergency liver transplant at ILBS, New Delhi with her son’s liver segment donated, but complications persisted.
- Tragically, on June 28, she lost the battle in ICU following rising oxygen dependency.
🤝 Tributes & Legacy
- ThePrint marked her passing, calling her “an economist, writer, policy researcher,” praising her impactful weekly MacroSutra.
- NIPFP, her academic home, expressed deep sorrow: “With deepest sorrow we share the news of the demise of our beloved Dr. Radhika Pandey.”
- Ila Patnaik lauded her dedication and achievement, calling the news “a tremendous loss for the community.”
🌿 Personal & Professional Balance
- Known for her balanced life, evenings and weekends were devoted to family and caring for her ill mother. business-standard.com
- She is survived by her husband Sanjay and their son Kanishk, the donor of her transplant.
🕯️ A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Radhika Pandey brought rare clarity to economic complexities—transforming research into sound policy and public insight. Through her teaching, writing, and advisory roles, she influenced India’s macroeconomic frameworks, including RBI’s inflation model and public debt strategies.
Her passing is not just a loss of exceptional intellectual firepower but of a compassionate educator and communicator who bridged academia and public discourse.
📝 In Memoriam: A Short Timeline
- 🎓 Dec 18, 1978 – Born
- 📚 BA at BHU → MA & PhD at JNV University
- 🎓 Professor at NLU Jodhpur → Associate Professor at NIPFP (2008–2025)
- ✍️ Columnist for ThePrint, writing MacroSutra since 2021
- 🏥 June 2025: Hospitalized → Emergency liver transplant at ILBS
- 🕊️ June 28, 2025 – Passed away at age 46
💔 Remembering Her: Comments from Peers
“There are so many policies of the Indian government where you can see Radhika’s influence … a tremendous loss for the community” – Ila Patnaik linkedin.com+2facebook.com+2business-standard.com+2
“She was a great communicator … I would follow her articles and videos regularly.” – Mandar Kagade theprint.in
🏁 Final Thoughts
Dr. Radhika Pandey embodied the ideal of economists who both think and act—bridging rigorous research, policy application, and public understanding. Her absence is deeply felt by students, policymakers, journalists, and the wider public she educated. She taught us not just economics, but how empathy and clarity can shape discourse and drive change.
May her insights continue to guide future thinkers—and may her spirit inspire more voices to speak truth with depth, heart, and accessibility.
