Dr. Rajiv Kumar, former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, recently resumed his chairmanship of Pahle India Foundation, a not-for-profit policy think tank, established by him in 2013. Dr. Kumar’s career has spanned academics to government to corporate chambers and multilateral institutions. The wide range of experience, combined with his intellectual depth, as reflected in his substantial publication record, gives him a unique multi-dimensional perspective on the Indian economy.
He served in the government as Economic Advisor with the Department of Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance) during 1991-1995 and took over as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog in September 2017, with the rank of Cabinet Minister and served until April 2022.
His stints with the corporate sector include serving as Chief Economist of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) from 2004-2006 and later as Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), 2011-2013.
Dr. Kumar holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Lucknow University (1978) and a D.Phil. from Oxford University (1982). Several universities have honored him with an honorary D.Litt. degree. On April 29, 2023, Dr. Kumar was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star of Japan during the 2023 Spring Conferment of Decorations. This prestigious honor was bestowed in recognition of his significant contributions to enhancing economic ties between Japan and India.
Book | Modi and His Challenges
Rajiv Kumar
2016, Bloomsbury India
Book | Resurgent India: Ideas and Priorities,
Ramgopal Agarwala, Rajiv Kumar, Rajesh Shah
2015, Academic Foundation
Book | Exploding Aspirations: Unlocking India’s Future
Rajiv Kumar
2014, Academic Foundation
Book | Non Alignment 2.0: A Foreign & Strategic Policy For India in the 21st Century
Sunil Khilnani, Rajiv Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Mehta
2014, Penguin Books
Book | Thirty Years of SAARC: Society, Culture and Development
(ed) Rajiv Kumar and Omita Goyal
2016, SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd
Paper | Education and Health: Special Focus on Uttar Pradesh
Rajiv Kumar and Amir Ullah Khan
2014, Global University
Book | Reconnecting Britain and India: Ideas for an Enhanced Partnership
(ed) Jo Johnson and Rajiv Kumar
2011, Academic Foundation
Book | Many Futures of India,
Rajiv Kumar
2011, Academic Foundation
Book | In the National Interest: A Strategic Foreign Policy for India
Rajiv Kumar and Santosh Kumar
2010, Business Standard Books
Book | The Long View from Delhi: To Define the Indian Grand Strategy for Foreign Policy
Admiral Raja Menon and Rajiv Kumar
2009, Academic Foundation
Book | Emerging Giants: China and India in the World Economy
(ed) Barry Eichengreen, Rajiv Kumar and Poonam Gupta
2010, Oxford University Press
Book | Global Financial Crisis: Impact on India’s Poor
Rajiv Kumar and et al,
2009, UNDP India
Book | New Dimensions of Economic Globalization: Surge of Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Asia
(ed)Ramkishen S. Rajan, Rajiv Kumar and Nicola Virgill
2008, World Scientific Publishing Company
Book | India’s Liberalisation Experience: Hostage to the WTO?
(ed) SuparnaKarmakar, Rajiv Kumar and Bibek Debroy
2007, SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd
Paper | The Automotive Supply Chain: Global Trends and Asian Perspectives
Franscisco Veloso and Rajiv Kumar
2002, Asian Development Bank
Book | Technological Development in the Indian Coal Industry since Nationalisation
Rajiv Kumar
1989, Commonwealth Publishers
Book | India’s Export Processing Zones
Rajiv Kumar
1989, Oxford University Press
Paper | Indian Textile Exports, The Multi-Fibre Arrangement and the Uruguay Round
Rajiv Kumar and Sri Ram Khanna
1989, The Swedish International Development Authority
Paper | Tax Perspectives for 1985-86 and the Seventh Plan
Rajiv Kumar
1985, India International Centre
Paper | Industrial Performance in India
Rajiv Kumar
1983, India International Centre
Opinion | Times of India
2047 Is Not 1996: Why India Needs a Higher Benchmark
Rajiv Kumar
March 8, 2023
Interview | NDTV Profit
India’s Economy to Grow at 6% in 2023-24: Ex NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Rajiv Kumar
February 19, 2023
Opinion | Economic Times
Why House Holds the Key
Rajiv Kumar
September 27, 2022
Opinion | Business Line
True Meaning of Atmanirbharta
Rajiv Kumar
September 23, 2022
Opinion | Economic Times
Fix Unlisted India Inc.
Rajiv Kumar
September 16, 2022
- Research
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Book | Modi and His Challenges
Rajiv Kumar
2016, Bloomsbury IndiaBook | Resurgent India: Ideas and Priorities,
Ramgopal Agarwala, Rajiv Kumar, Rajesh Shah
2015, Academic FoundationBook | Exploding Aspirations: Unlocking India’s Future
Rajiv Kumar
2014, Academic FoundationBook | Non Alignment 2.0: A Foreign & Strategic Policy For India in the 21st Century
Sunil Khilnani, Rajiv Kumar, Bhanu Pratap Mehta
2014, Penguin BooksBook | Thirty Years of SAARC: Society, Culture and Development
(ed) Rajiv Kumar and Omita Goyal
2016, SAGE Publications Pvt. LtdPaper | Education and Health: Special Focus on Uttar Pradesh
Rajiv Kumar and Amir Ullah Khan
2014, Global UniversityBook | Reconnecting Britain and India: Ideas for an Enhanced Partnership
(ed) Jo Johnson and Rajiv Kumar
2011, Academic FoundationBook | Many Futures of India,
Rajiv Kumar
2011, Academic FoundationBook | In the National Interest: A Strategic Foreign Policy for India
Rajiv Kumar and Santosh Kumar
2010, Business Standard BooksBook | The Long View from Delhi: To Define the Indian Grand Strategy for Foreign Policy
Admiral Raja Menon and Rajiv Kumar
2009, Academic FoundationBook | Emerging Giants: China and India in the World Economy
(ed) Barry Eichengreen, Rajiv Kumar and Poonam Gupta
2010, Oxford University PressBook | Global Financial Crisis: Impact on India’s Poor
Rajiv Kumar and et al,
2009, UNDP IndiaBook | New Dimensions of Economic Globalization: Surge of Outward Foreign Direct Investment from Asia
(ed)Ramkishen S. Rajan, Rajiv Kumar and Nicola Virgill
2008, World Scientific Publishing CompanyBook | India’s Liberalisation Experience: Hostage to the WTO?
(ed) SuparnaKarmakar, Rajiv Kumar and Bibek Debroy
2007, SAGE Publications Pvt. LtdPaper | The Automotive Supply Chain: Global Trends and Asian Perspectives
Franscisco Veloso and Rajiv Kumar
2002, Asian Development BankBook | Technological Development in the Indian Coal Industry since Nationalisation
Rajiv Kumar
1989, Commonwealth PublishersBook | India’s Export Processing Zones
Rajiv Kumar
1989, Oxford University PressPaper | Indian Textile Exports, The Multi-Fibre Arrangement and the Uruguay Round
Rajiv Kumar and Sri Ram Khanna
1989, The Swedish International Development AuthorityPaper | Tax Perspectives for 1985-86 and the Seventh Plan
Rajiv Kumar
1985, India International CentrePaper | Industrial Performance in India
Rajiv Kumar
1983, India International Centre - Commentary
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Opinion | Times of India
2047 Is Not 1996: Why India Needs a Higher Benchmark
Rajiv Kumar
March 8, 2023Interview | NDTV Profit
India’s Economy to Grow at 6% in 2023-24: Ex NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Rajiv Kumar
February 19, 2023Opinion | Economic Times
Why House Holds the Key
Rajiv Kumar
September 27, 2022Opinion | Business Line
True Meaning of Atmanirbharta
Rajiv Kumar
September 23, 2022Opinion | Economic Times
Fix Unlisted India Inc.
Rajiv Kumar
September 16, 2022
Education:
- D.Phil
Economics, Oxford University, 1982 - Ph.D
Economics, Lucknow University, 1977 - Masters
Economics, Lucknow University, 1975 - Bachelors
Economics, St. Stephens College, 1971
Work Experience:
- 2013 – 2017 & 2022 – Present: Founding Director
Pahle India Foundation - 2017 – 2022: Vice Chairman
NITI Aayog - 2013 – 2015: Senior Fellow
Centre for Policy Research - 2011 – 2013: Secretary General
Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) - 2006 – 2010: Director and Chief Executive
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations - 2004 – 2006: Chief Economist
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - 1995 – 2005: Principal Economist
Asian Development Bank (ADB) - 1991 – 1995: Economic Advisor
Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India - 1989 – 1991: Senior Consultant
Ministry of Industries and Ministry of Finance, Government of India - 1987 – 1989: Professor Indian
Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) - 1982 – 1987: Senior Program Coordinator
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)