Renowned economist and chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, Bibek Debroy, passed away today at the age of 69. A Padma Shri awardee, Mr. Debroy previously held the position of chancellor at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi confirmed that he passed due to an intestinal obstruction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling Mr. Debroy a “towering scholar” with profound knowledge in economics, history, culture, politics, and spirituality. “Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India’s intellectual landscape,” the Prime Minister stated.
Educated at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, Presidency College in Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge, Mr. Debroy contributed to several esteemed institutions, including Presidency College, GIPE, and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. He also directed a Ministry of Finance and UNDP project focused on legal reforms.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered him as a “distinguished economist, prolific author, and excellent academician.” Mr. Pradhan noted that Mr. Debroy’s columns in newspapers “enriched and enlightened millions” and praised his contributions to India’s development.
Mr. Debroy was a member of NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019, and authored numerous books, papers, and articles. He also served as a contributing editor for multiple newspapers, leaving a legacy in economics, academia, and literature.
