Dr. Radhika Pandey, Renowned Economist, Passes Away at 46 After Liver Transplant Complications
KhabriDose.com National Desk: Renowned Economist Dr. Radhika Pandey Passes Away at 46 After Liver Transplant Complications
New Delhi, India – June 30, 2025 – India’s economic and policy circles are mourning the untimely demise of Dr. Radhika Pandey, a highly respected economist and prolific policy researcher, who passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the age of 46. She succumbed to complications following an emergency liver transplant at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi.
Dr. Pandey’s passing marks a significant loss for the nation’s intellectual landscape. As an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), she was a pivotal figure in macroeconomic research, financial sector regulation, and public policy for over two decades. Her work was instrumental in shaping numerous government committees and task forces, contributing deeply to India’s financial and economic reforms.
Sources close to the family revealed that Dr. Pandey had been admitted to ILBS earlier this month due to acute liver failure, initially triggered by a bout of typhoid that affected her liver. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, necessitating an emergency liver transplant. While the surgery was performed, she unfortunately developed severe complications in the post-operative period. Her son courageously donated a part of his liver for the transplant, but despite all medical efforts, Dr. Pandey’s oxygen dependence continued to rise, and she passed away on Saturday morning.
A Brilliant Mind and Influential Voice:
Born on December 18, 1978, Dr. Radhika Pandey completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Banaras Hindu University, followed by her MA and PhD in Economics from Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. She began her career at the National Law Institute in Jodhpur before joining NIPFP in 2008, where her work spanned critical areas such as business cycles, capital controls, inflation targeting, and financial sector legislative reforms.
Colleagues and peers remember Dr. Pandey not only for her rigorous academic contributions but also for her exceptional ability to translate complex economic concepts into accessible insights. She was a regular columnist for prominent platforms like ThePrint, Business Standard, and Bloomberg Quint, where her weekly ‘MacroSutra’ column garnered a wide readership.
“Radhika was one of those rare academics who had experience in both law and finance, and her contribution to policy making was huge,” shared Ila Patnaik, Chief Economist at Aditya Birla Group and former professor at NIPFP, in a heartfelt tribute. “She didn’t focus on just publishing papers but on the real research that goes behind actual policymaking.”
Dr. Pandey was renowned for her practical approach to research, which directly influenced policies adopted by the Indian government. Her involvement with the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission and the Task Force on Public Debt Management Agency underscores her profound impact on India’s economic framework.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Pandey was celebrated for her warmth, strong leadership, and dedication to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She is survived by her husband, Sanjay, and their son, Kanishk.
Dr. Radhika Pandey’s premature departure leaves an irreplaceable void in India’s intellectual community, but her legacy of insightful research, impactful policy contributions, and clear communication will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of economists and policymakers.
