Bibek Debroy, esteemed economist and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, passed away this morning at age 69 due to an intestinal obstruction, AIIMS Delhi reported. Recognized with the Padma Shri for his contributions, Mr. Debroy had an influential career, previously serving as the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing Mr. Debroy as a “towering scholar” with expertise across economics, history, culture, and spirituality. “Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji left an indelible mark on India’s intellectual landscape. Beyond public policy, he enjoyed making our ancient texts accessible to the youth,” PM Modi shared on social media.
Educated at renowned institutions including Ramakrishna Mission School, Presidency College, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge, Mr. Debroy held key positions at several academic and economic institutions. He worked at Presidency College, Gokhale Institute, and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and directed a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project focused on legal reforms.
In his tribute, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described Mr. Debroy as a distinguished economist, author, and academician whose insights enriched millions. Mr. Debroy also served as a member of NITI Aayog until 2019 and contributed significantly to Indian policy and literature, authoring numerous books and articles that deepened the nation’s understanding of economic issues.
