Economist, policy researcher-writer & ThePrint columnist Radhika Pandey passes away at 46
The 46-year-old was also a columnist for ThePrint, contributing a weekly article and video titled MacroSutra, in which she discussed topical financial and macroeconomic matters.
An associate professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), Pandey was a macroeconomist with over 20 years of experience in public policy and teaching, previously having held the position of lecturer at the National Law University (NLU) Jodhpur.
New Delhi: Economist, writer, policy researcher Radhika Pandey passed away on Saturday at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi. She had recently undergone an emergency liver transplant surgery.
'There are so many policies of the Indian government where you can see Radhika's influence and research,' said Ila Patnaik, chief economist at the Aditya Birla Group and former professor at NIPFP. 'It is a tremendous loss for the community, and for me personally.'
Patnaik and Pandey were long-time collaborators, working together at NIPFP and also in several policy research teams for central government ministries. Patnaik recalled how Pandey's working paper on inflation targeting measures greatly influenced the actual framework developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
'She was one of those rare academics who had experience in both law and finance, and her contribution in policy making was huge,' said Patnaik. 'She didn't focus on just publishing papers but on the real research that goes behind actual policy making.'
Before joining NIPFP in 2008, Pandey was a professor at National Law University (NLU), Jodhpur where she taught finance, law, and regulation to post-graduate students. She did her MA and PhD from the Jai Narain Vyas University (formerly known as University of Jodhpur) in economics and B.A. in economics from Banaras Hindu University.
'More than anything, she was one of the most dedicated people I had seen. Right from 2008 when she joined, we have been working together and we never really stopped,' said Patnaik.
Also Read: What RBI's 3 surprise moves in its June policy signal about its growth outlook
'Great communicator'
Aside from being a regular columnist for ThePrint since 2021, Pandey was also the lead coordinator for the Task Force for Public Debt Management Agency, constituted by the Ministry of Finance in 2014. The list of her working papers and publications indicates Pandey's breadth of expertise–from bond markets to public finance to carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) tax to even business cycles.
She also worked with Patnaik in a research team led by Justice B.N.Srikrishna for the Financial Sectors Legislative Reforms Commission in 2011. Her interest extended beyond financial regulations in India, as she was also a part of the research team led by former civil servant U.K. Sinha for the 'Working Group on Foreign Investment.'
'She was very sought after by news publications too, because she was a great communicator. I would follow her articles and videos regularly, even when I was not actively in touch with her,' said Mandar Kagade, the founder-principal at Black Dot Public Policy Advisors.
Pandey, he said, was one of the only people he went to for any query about financial policy, regulations, and macroeconomic doubt.
Patnaik also said that Pandey's influence extended beyond the policy sphere, beyond the background work. Through her columns and videos for news organisations, she was not just doing research but also talking about it to the public, the economist said.
'Look at her MacroSutra, the number of people that appreciated her work was huge. She was always interacting with the public, explaining and talking about economic policies, making them accessible,' said Patnaik. 'Yes, she was an associate professor at NIPFP, but she was also so much more than that.'
Pandey was admitted to the ILBS Hospital earlier this month, due to acute liver failure caused by jaundice. Her last Macrosutra video for ThePrint was shot while she was at the hospital, on Pandey's own insistence.
'I remember visiting her and asking her to take a break from work for a bit so she could recover,' recalled Patniak. 'But she said no. I'll shoot the video, I'll write the article. That was her dedication to her work. You don't find such people in today's world.'
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: UK FTA is good news for India amid global turbulence. Domestic reforms must follow market access
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Reliance Power bids for global tenders to build 1,500 MW gas plant
Anil Ambani 's Reliance Power Ltd is planning to set up a 1,500-MW gas-based power project overseas and is actively participating in several international tenders for its development, according to sources. Sources said, Reliance Power has submitted competitive bids for gas-based power projects in Kuwait, UAE, and Malaysia as part of its selective global expansion strategy. The company has recently secured two mega power projects in Bhutan - a 500-MW solar project and a 770-MW hydropower project. Based on the outcome of the ongoing international bids, Reliance Power plans to relocate two 750 MW modules of world-class equipment currently in its possession in India. The proposed project is expected to create significant value in Reliance Power's balance sheet, as the company aims to realise up to Rs 2,000 crore through the monetisation of these assets. When contacted, a Reliance Power spokesperson confirmed the company's participation in global tenders. Originally, the company had imported three modules of 750 MW world class equipment from General Electric, USA, for a gas-based combined cycle power project, out of which one module was exported to Bangladesh for an LNG based power project in partnership with Japan's JERA. Now, Reliance Power intends to deploy the remaining two modules for a similar project at an overseas location. The demand for gas-based power - widely regarded as a clean energy source - is significantly high in countries such as Kuwait, the UAE, and Malaysia. However, global suppliers like GE typically require 3 to 5 years to deliver equipment for gas or LNG-based power plants. In contrast, Reliance Power has 1,500 MW of equipment readily available, enabling it to execute such projects in the shortest possible timeframe. Reliance Power is actively focusing on renewable and clean energy. The company has a strong development pipeline, including 2.5 GWp of utility-scale solar projects and more than 2.5 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This positions Reliance Power as the largest private sector player in the integrated solar + BESS segment in India. Reliance Power has also entered into a joint venture with the Bhutan Government's Druk Holding & Investments (DHI) for the development of a 500 -MW solar project and a 770-MW hydropower project in Bhutan. This marks the largest foreign direct investment by an Indian private company in Bhutan's renewable energy sector.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bangladesh settles $384 million payment to Adani Power amid financial struggles
Bangladesh paid $384 million to Adani Power in June, significantly reducing its outstanding dues under a power supply agreement with the Indian firm, according to sources. In June (till June 27), Bangladesh has paid $384 million of the committed $437 million to be paid during the month, two sources aware of the matter said. This would clear Bangladesh's "admitted" claims till March 31. With this, Adani's "claimed" dues, while still substantial, will come down to around $500 million (assuming Bangladesh meets its month-end commitment), they said. Bangladesh has struggled to meet its payment obligations under the 2017 deal, as rising import costs following the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 and domestic political turmoil - which led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina - strained the country's finances. As a result, Adani had halved supply last year and full supplies were resumed in March 2025 after the country's monthly payments started covering some of the dues. With the latest payments, Bangladesh has paid nearly $1.5 billion of the roughly $2 billion total billed amount. Adani has reportedly agreed to waive late payment surcharge (LPS) for January-June period, amounting to about $20 million, if Bangladesh keeps its payment commitment. Sources said both parties are engaged in discussion to resolve some issues related to coal cost and plant capacity calculations. These are the key reasons behind the difference between "claimed" and "admitted" dues. When contacted, an Adani Power spokesperson confirmed the payments but didn't share details on "claimed" and "agreed" dues stating these discussions are private. The 2017 power supply deal between Adani Power and Bangladesh had come in for scrutiny after the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government last year. Interim government, led by Nobel Peace prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, called for the formation of a high-level committee, comprising energy and legal experts, to re-examine the power purchase agreement (PPA). Under the 2017 deal, Adani Power's Godda power plant in Jharkhand was to supply 100 per cent of the electricity generated from burning coal, to Bangladesh for a period of 25 years. After payment defaults, Adani had cut supplies by half in November 2024. It restored full electricity supply, which is around 1,600 MW, in March after the country reduced liabilities. Bangladesh stepped up repayments from July last year, clearing monthly dues. This came after the country suffered from increased power shortages in rural areas. Bangladesh has been struggling to generate sufficient dollar revenues to cover the cost of essential imports such as electricity, coal, and oil. Its foreign currency reserves declined amid months of student-led protests and political unrest, which culminated in the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024. The interim government that succeeded her sought an additional $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on top of the existing $4.7 billion bailout package. Adani's power deal with Bangladesh was one of the many under Sheikh Hasina, which the current interim government has called opaque. Besides Adani Power, other Indian state-owned firms also sell power to Bangladesh, including NTPC and PTC India Ltd.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Germany reports highest-ever Indian student intake amid US visa uncertainty; 35% spike in applications
HYDERABAD: Germany appears to be emerging as the new academic destination of choice for Indian students, with the German Embassy in Delhi reporting a 35% rise in applications from India in 2025 - the highest number of enrolments the country has recorded to date. Overseas consultants attribute this shift largely to recent visa restrictions and increased scrutiny imposed by the United States on international applicants. From the two Telugu states alone, consultancies report that nearly 40% of students who initially aimed for a place at a US university have now shifted their focus to Germany, followed by France. "These students, in fact, withdrew their applications from American universities to apply to European nations," said Rajni Mankotiya from Way2Abroad Consulting, a registered consultancy based in Himayatnagar. He added: "They had been waiting for US visa slots to open, but with no clarity even now, they are exploring Germany for the October intake - some are also considering the March intake." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The most sought-after courses include business management, automobile engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. "The US was my dream, as it is for many others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo But it's too risky at the moment," said Shubhan Jay from Attapur, who has now decided to pursue a master's in mechanical engineering in Germany. "This country wasn't even on my radar, but the more I read about it, the more impressed I was. The tuition fees are under 12 lakh, and the cost of living ranges from 700 euros to 900 euros per month (approximately 70,000 to 90,000), which is far more affordable than the US. I'll begin my application process next month," he added. This shift in preference is also reflected in recent data. According to University Living's European Report, the number of Indian students enrolled in Germany rose from around 46,000 in 2024 to an estimated 54,000 in 2025. "If this upward trend continues, the number could exceed 1.14 lakh by 2030," said Saurabh Arora from University Living, a global student accommodation service provider. "Recent policy changes have encouraged many to consider Germany, as it offers affordability and long-term prospects." Germany currently offers an 18-month post-study work visa to international students, which is another major draw among aspirants. "My only concern was the need to learn the language, but my consultant assured me that most universities use English as the medium of instruction," said Pavanita K, an interior designer from Hyderabad planning to move to Germany for a master's in architecture. Indeed, Goethe-Zentrum, a non-profit German cultural centre, is already witnessing a sharp rise in students enrolling to learn the language. "We currently have around 700 students learning German, and this year nearly 10,000 sat the German language certification exam. This certification is valuable for university and job applications. The numbers are only going to rise as more and more students view Germany as a viable destination for higher education," said Amita Desai, director at Goethe-Zentrum.
