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.