The Indian policy‑making community lost one of its brightest lights on Saturday, 28 June 2025, when Dr Radhika Pandey—respected economist, writer, and associate professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP)—passed away in New Delhi. She was 46.

A Life Devoted to Public Policy

• Macroeconomist & Educator: With more than 20 years of experience, Dr Pandey’s work bridged the worlds of research, teaching, and on‑the‑ground policy design.
• Influence on India’s Economy: Her landmark paper on inflation‑targeting helped shape the Reserve Bank of India’s current framework.
• Legal & Financial Expertise: Holding both an MA and PhD in Economics from Jai Narain Vyas University, she once taught finance, law, and regulation at National Law University, Jodhpur—an uncommon blend that gave her analyses a rare depth.

Beyond Academia

• MacroSutra Column & Video Series: Since 2021, readers of ThePrint eagerly awaited her weekly explainer, where she distilled complex macroeconomic ideas into clear, actionable insights.
• Policy Task Forces: She led the secretariat for the Public Debt Management Agency Task Force and contributed to major committees—from the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC) to the Working Group on Foreign Investment.
• Gifted Communicator: Colleagues describe her as a “great communicator” who could translate dense data into language everyone understood.

Tributes From Friends & Colleagues

“There are so many policies of the Indian government where you can see Radhika’s influence. It is a tremendous loss for the community, and for me personally.”
— Dr Ila Patnaik, Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group

“She was the first person I called whenever I had a question on regulation or macro. We’ve lost a cornerstone of policy discourse.”
— Mandar Kagade, Founder, Black Dot Public Policy Advisors

Dr Pandey’s dedication never wavered—even in hospital. Her final MacroSutra episode was recorded from her bed at ILBS, testament to a work ethic that colleagues call unparalleled.

Final Days

Earlier this month, she was admitted to the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) with acute liver failure caused by jaundice. After an emergency transplant, complications proved insurmountable. She passed away surrounded by family.

Legacy

Dr Radhika Pandey leaves behind an indelible impact on India’s fiscal architecture, a stack of widely cited papers, and a generation of students who learned to see economics not just as theory, but as a tool for public good. Her voice may be silent, but her ideas will continue to guide India’s economic journey for decades.