On June 28, 2025, India lost a remarkable economist, Dr. Radhika Pandey, who passed away at the age of 46. Her death left a deep void in the world of economics and public policy. Dr. Pandey was not just a scholar but a kind-hearted person who worked tirelessly to make India’s economy stronger. Her life was a blend of hard work, wisdom, and care for others. This article tells the story of her journey, her achievements, and the legacy she leaves behind.
Early Life and Family
Dr. Radhika Pandey was born on December 18, 1978, in India. She grew up with a love for learning. From a young age, she was curious about how money and markets work. She studied hard and chose economics as her path. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. Later, she earned her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Economics from Jai Narain Vyas University in Jodhpur. Her education gave her a strong foundation to understand complex economic ideas.
Radhika Pandey Economist Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Radhika Pandey |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1978 |
| Date of Passing | June 28, 2025 |
| Place of Birth | India (exact location not specified) |
| Education | - B.A. in Economics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- M.A. in Economics, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur- Ph.D. in Economics, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur |
| Profession | Economist, Associate Professor, Columnist |
| Key Workplaces | - National Law University, Jodhpur (Lecturer)- National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi (Associate Professor, 2008–2025) |
| Areas of Expertise | - Macroeconomics- Inflation- Business Cycles- Financial Regulations- Capital Controls |
| Major Contributions | - Led Task Force on Public Debt Management, Ministry of Finance (2014)- Member of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission- Weekly column MacroSutra for ThePrint (2021–2025)- Published research with 400+ citations |
| Notable Achievements | - Simplified complex economic ideas- Influenced India’s inflation policy- Researched global financial topics |
| Publications | - Academic research papers- MacroSutra columns and videos for ThePrint |
| Family | - Husband: Sanjay- Son: Kanishk- Cared for her ailing mother |
| Personal Qualities | - Kind, humble, dedicated- Balanced family and career- Passionate educator |
| Cause of Death | Complications from typhoid, jaundice, and liver failure following a transplant |
| Place of Death | Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi |
| Legacy | - Inspired young economists- Shaped Indian economic policy- Made economics accessible |
Career
After her studies, Dr. Pandey began her career as a teacher. She worked as a lecturer at the National Law University in Jodhpur. There, she taught students about economics and law. Her classes were not just about numbers. She made her lessons simple and interesting. Students loved her because she explained things clearly. She had a special ability to connect with people. Her teaching style showed her deep knowledge and her desire to help others learn.
In 2008, Dr. Pandey joined the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) in New Delhi. She became an Associate Professor there. NIPFP is a respected place where experts study India’s economy. At NIPFP, Dr. Pandey worked on important topics like inflation, business cycles, and financial rules. She spent over 15 years at NIPFP, becoming a trusted voice in economics. Her work helped the government make better policies for the country.
Dr. Pandey was a macroeconomist. This means she studied big economic issues that affect the whole country. For example, she researched why prices go up and how to control them. She also studied how businesses grow and shrink over time. Her work was not just about writing papers. She wanted her research to help real people. She believed economics should make life better for everyone, not just the rich.
One of Dr. Pandey’s biggest contributions was her role in government projects. In 2014, she led a Task Force on Public Debt Management for the Ministry of Finance. This group studied how India could manage its loans better. Her ideas helped the government make smarter financial decisions. She also worked on other important teams. For example, she was part of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission. This group worked to improve India’s financial laws. Her efforts shaped policies that made India’s economy stronger.
Dr. Pandey was not just a researcher. She was also a writer who loved sharing her knowledge. Since 2021, she wrote a weekly column called *MacroSutra* for ThePrint. In this column, she explained complex economic ideas in simple words. She also made videos to reach more people. Her work was popular because she made economics easy to understand. Whether it was about taxes, inflation, or trade, she had a way of making it interesting. People from all walks of life read her columns and learned something new.
Her colleagues admired her for her kindness and hard work. Dr. Ila Patnaik, a well-known economist, worked with Dr. Pandey for many years. She said Dr. Pandey’s research changed how India controls inflation. Her ideas helped the Reserve Bank of India create better policies. Dr. Patnaik also praised her ability to talk to the public. “Radhika didn’t just do research,” she said. “She explained it to everyone in a way they could understand.” This made Dr. Pandey special in a world where many economists stay in the shadows.
Dr. Pandey’s work went beyond India. She studied global economic issues too. For example, she researched how money moves between countries. She wrote about capital controls, which are rules about foreign investments. Her papers were read by scholars around the world. She also worked with other experts on projects about banking and trade. Her research was published in well-known journals. She had over 400 citations, which shows how much her work mattered to others.
Despite her busy career, Dr. Pandey cared deeply about her family. She was married to Sanjay, and they had a son named Kanishk. She made time for them, even with her demanding job. She believed in balancing work and life. Evenings and weekends were for her family. She also took care of her ailing mother. Her ability to manage everything showed her strength and love for those around her.
In June 2025, Dr. Pandey fell seriously ill. She had typhoid, which led to jaundice and liver problems. Doctors tried to save her with a liver transplant. Her son Kanishk bravely donated part of his liver. Sadly, the surgery did not work. Dr. Pandey passed away at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi. Even in her final days, she showed her dedication. She recorded her last *MacroSutra* video from the hospital because she wanted to keep teaching people.
Life Tragedy
Her death shocked the economic community. Many people shared their sadness online. One person wrote, “Dr. Pandey was a rare economist who cared about people’s lives.” Another said, “Her work made economics human.” These words show how much she was loved. Her colleagues at NIPFP said she was a leader who inspired everyone. She was kind to her team and treated everyone with respect.
Dr. Pandey’s legacy lives on through her work. Her research papers are still used by students and policymakers. Her columns and videos continue to teach people about economics. Young economists look up to her as an example. They want to follow her path of using knowledge to help others. She showed that economics is not just about numbers. It is about making life better for people.
Her life was a mix of brilliance and humility. She never boasted about her achievements. Instead, she focused on doing good work. She listened to others and shared her ideas generously. Her quiet strength touched everyone who knew her. She believed in serving her country through her knowledge. This made her a true role model for young Indians.
Dr. Pandey’s story reminds us to ask big questions and seek truth. She showed that hard work and kindness can go together. Her passing is a great loss, but her ideas will keep guiding us. India needs more people like Dr. Radhika Pandey. She proved that one person’s work can make a difference. Her love for learning and helping others will never be forgotten.
In her memory, we can honor her by continuing to learn and care for each other. Her life teaches us to use our skills for the greater good. Dr. Pandey’s journey was one of courage, wisdom, and compassion. She may be gone, but her light shines on through her work and the lives she touched. May her soul rest in peace.