Famous Indian Economists

Amartya Sen is an esteemed Indian economist and philosopher known for his significant contributions to welfare economics, social choice theory, and development economics. He received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998 for his work in these areas. Sen has held prestigious academic positions at institutions such as Harvard University and the University of Cambridge. Recognized for his pioneering scholarship on global justice and social inequality, Sen has received accolades including India's Bharat Ratna and the 2020 Peace Prize of the German Book Trade.

Raghuram Rajan is an Indian economist and academician known for his distinguished career in finance. He served as the Chief Economist and director of research at the International Monetary Fund from 2003 to 2006. Rajan later became the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2013 to 2016. His early warnings about financial risks prior to the 2008 crisis were initially criticized but later proven prescient. Rajan has received prestigious awards for his contributions to financial theory and practice, and he has been recognized as one of the most influential people in the world.

Urjit Patel is an Indian economist who has held significant roles in the Reserve Bank of India, serving as the 24th Governor and Deputy Governor. He oversaw key areas such as monetary policy, economic research, financial markets, statistics, and information management during his tenure. Patel made history by being the first RBI governor to resign citing personal reasons. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, additional director of Britannia Industries, and independent director of John Cockerill India.

Subramanian Swamy is an Indian politician, economist, and statistician known for his Hindu nationalist views. He previously served as a professor of Mathematical Economics at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Swamy has held various significant roles in Indian politics, including being a member of the Planning Commission of India, a Cabinet Minister in the Chandra Shekhar government, and Chairman of the Commission on Labour Standards and International Trade under former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. He has also been actively involved in the Janata Party and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Additionally, Swamy has written extensively on foreign affairs concerning China, Pakistan, and Israel.

Bimal Jalan is a prominent figure in Indian economics, having served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for two terms. He held key roles in the Government of India, including Chief Economic Adviser and Finance Secretary. Jalan's expertise led to advisory positions and presidency at prestigious institutions. Notably, he oversaw the introduction of the 1000 Rupee note. His contributions to economic policy and governance have solidified his reputation as a respected leader in the field.

Bibek Debroy is a prominent Indian economist, serving as the chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India and the Chairman of the Finance Ministry's 'Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal'. With significant contributions in areas such as game theory, economic theory, income inequality, social inequalities, poverty, law reforms, railway reforms, and Indology, he is highly regarded in his field. Debroy has received prestigious awards like the Padma Shri and Lifetime Achievement Awards from various organizations for his exemplary work in economics and public service.

Kaushik Basu is an Indian economist known for his prominent roles in both academia and public service. He has served as the Chief Economist of the World Bank and as the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India. Currently holding the position of C. Marks Professor of International Studies at Cornell University, Basu is also an academic advisory board member of Plaksha University. He has been recognized for his contributions to economics with prestigious awards, including the Humboldt Research Award in 2021.

Jagdish Natwarlal Bhagwati is an Indian-born American economist and influential trade theorist, known for his significant contributions to international trade theory and economic development. He holds the prestigious position of University Professor at Columbia University and Senior Fellow in International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Bhagwati is recognized as the intellectual father of Indian economic reforms in 1991 and has received numerous awards for his contributions, including the Padma Vibhushan and the Order of the Rising Sun. Despite not winning the Nobel Prize, he is highly regarded by peers and experts in the field.

Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar is an Indian economist, journalist, and columnist known for his work as a consulting editor at the Economic Times. He is a prolific writer for both the Economic Times and The Times of India, covering various economic and social issues. Additionally, Aiyar holds the position of Research Fellow at the Cato Institute, where he contributes valuable insights on economic policy and development. With a distinguished career in journalism and economics, Aiyar continues to make significant contributions to public discourse and policy debates.

Jean Drèze is a prominent Belgian-born Indian welfare economist, social scientist, and activist. He has focused on addressing various developmental issues in India such as social welfare, poverty, and gender inequality. Drèze has collaborated with renowned economists like Amartya Sen, Nicholas Stern, and Angus Deaton on research topics ranging from famine to policy reform. He holds prestigious positions as an honorary professor at the Delhi School of Economics, visiting professor at Ranchi University, and a member of the Economic Advisory Council in Tamil Nadu. Drèze's contributions have been significant in shaping economic policies and promoting social welfare initiatives in India.