A Life of Academic Excellence
Dr Radhika Pandey (b. 18 December 1978 – d. 28 June 2025) embodied intellectual curiosity and academic rigor. She earned her B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Banaras Hindu University, then completed her M.A. and Ph.D. at Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur . Early in her career, she taught finance, law, and regulation as a lecturer at National Law University, Jodhpur . Her formidable intellect and dual expertise in economics and law laid the foundation for a stellar professional journey.
A Pillar at NIPFP
In 2008, Dr Radhika Pandey joined the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) in New Delhi as an Associate Professor. Over the next seventeen years, she became a leading authority in macroeconomics and public finance, mentoring students and spearheading critical research. She maintained a remarkable work-life balance, caring for her family—including an ailing mother—while remaining fully engaged in her professional commitments
Influencing National Policy
Dr Radhika Pandey’s work transcended academia, leaving a lasting impact on national policy. She served as lead coordinator for the Ministry of Finance’s Task Force on the Public Debt Management Agency in 2014 She contributed to high-profile committees, including the Working Group on Foreign Investment chaired by U.K. Sinha, the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission under Justice B.N. Srikrishna, and the FCCB review led by M.S. Sahoo
Research Contributions & Thought Leadership
Dr. Radhika Pandey’s research spanned household consumption behavior, business cycles, inflation targeting, capital controls, and financial sector regulation. Her influence was felt in real-world policy: Ila Patnaik observed that her analysis on inflation targeting “greatly influenced the actual framework developed by the RBI” . Colleagues remember her as a “great communicator” who made economic policy accessible through weekly MacroSutra columns and videos for ThePrint
Professional Recognition
Beyond her research, Dr Radhika Pandey was a respected thought leader in economics:
- Chief Economist Ila Patnaik described her death as “a tremendous loss for the community, and for me personally,” highlighting her role in multiple government policy initiatives
- Mandar Kagade, public policy advisor, noted she was his first port of call for any queries on macroeconomic policy
- Shekhar Gupta, founder of ThePrint, took to X to express the site’s devastation, adding “She’ll be missed by us & her readers. Our heartfelt condolences are with the family”
Sudden Health Crisis & Loss
Earlier this month, Dr Radhika Pandey was hospitalized after contracting typhoid, which led to severe jaundice and acute liver failure . She urgently needed a liver transplant; her son became the donor. While he recovered, Dr Pandey remained ventilated, battling escalating oxygen Despite undergoing an emergency transplant at Delhi’s ILBS, she tragically passed away on 28 June 2025, at the age of 46
Remembering a Passionate Scholar & Warm Personality
Her peers recall not only her intellectual depth but also her warmth and empathy. At NIPFP, she led teams supporting the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry, balancing professional grace with personal kindness. She continued writing for top media outlets Business Standard, Bloomberg, ThePrint, Quint maintaining her weekly writings and even shooting a MacroSutra video from her hospital bed. Such dedication exemplified her unwavering commitment to public discourse and policy clarity.
Her Legacy Lives On
Dr Radhika Pandey leaves behind her husband, Sanjay, and their son, Kanishk . Her influence endures through her robust body of research, her policy reforms, and the thousands she educated and inspired. As a colleague reflected, “More than anything, she was one of the most dedicated people I had seen” .
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A Heartfelt Farewell
The passing of Dr Radhika Pandey is an immense loss for India’s academic and policy-making community. She bridged the gap between scholarly analysis and applied economics, influencing policy, regulations, and public understanding. Her clarity, passion, and humanity remain a benchmark for future economists. May her writings continue to guide, and her memory inspire, future generations.
Call to Action:
- Dive into Dr Pandey’s MacroSutra columns on ThePrint to explore her insights on India’s economic pulse.
- Read her thoughtful articles on inflation, public debt, and financial regulation across leading outlets.
- Share her work and legacy with students, researchers, and policy enthusiasts it’s one of the best ways to honor her enduring contribution.
Dr Radhika Pandey’s journey reminds us: intellect paired with empathy can shape more than policy it can shape hearts.