New Delhi: Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council and a renowned economist, died at the age of 69. He was an influential figure in economic policy, having served as the Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune, and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling Dr. Debroy a “towering scholar.” PM Modi shared on social media, “Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality, and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India’s intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth.” PM Modi further added, “I have known Dr. Debroy for many years. I will fondly remember his insights and passion for academic discourse. I am saddened by his passing. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”
Tributes and condolences from the political community poured in following his passing. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted on X, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Bibek Debroy. He was a distinguished economist, a prolific author, and an excellent academician. He will be admired for his policy guidance on economic issues and noteworthy contributions to India’s development. His columns in newspapers enriched and enlightened millions. Dr. Debroy leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of economics, academia, and literature. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May Almighty grant Sadgati to the departed. Om Shanti.”
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya also took to X and wrote, “Saddened to hear of the passing of renowned economist and Chairman of PM Modi’s Economic Advisory Council, Shri Bibek Debroy. A visionary and a Padma Shri awardee, he made lasting contributions to India’s economic landscape. He also contributed immensely to our civilizational rejuvenation through his several translations of historical texts. His wisdom and insights will be greatly missed.”
Who was Bibek Debroy?
Dr. Bibek Debroy’s extensive contributions to economic policy, public intellectualism, and literature have left a lasting impact on India’s intellectual landscape. Dr. Debroy was educated at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, Presidency College in Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge.
As a distinguished economist, he held significant roles in various institutions, including Presidency College, Kolkata (1979-83), the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune (1983-87), the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi (1987-93), and the Department of Economic Affairs (1994-95). He also directed a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms (1993-98) and worked with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (1995-96), the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies (1997-2005), the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2005-06), and the Centre for Policy Research (2007-2015). Dr. Debroy was a member of NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019. Apart from his policy work, he authored and edited numerous books, papers, and popular articles, and served as a consulting and contributing editor for several newspapers.
