Shamika Ravi | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) | |
| Assumed office 2023 | |
| Secretary to the Government of India | |
| Assumed office February 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Alma mater | Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi New York University, New York |
| Occupation | Economist |
Dr. Shamika Ravi is an Indian economist and public policy researcher. She currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and as a Secretary to the Government of India. Her research focuses on public policy issues such as healthcare, gender equality, poverty alleviation, and economic development.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Ravi was born in Patna, and raised in Kerala, India. She completed her undergraduate degree from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, in 1996.[3] She later attended the Delhi School of Economics and received her Ph.D. in economics from New York University.[4]
Academic career[edit | edit source]
Ravi joined the Indian School of Business (ISB) in 2005 as a visiting faculty member, later becoming an assistant professor and eventually a professor of economics.[5] She has taught courses in managerial economics, game theory, and microfinance.
Her research includes studies on health financing, women’s political participation, and financial inclusion. She co-authored the report Health and Morbidity in India (2004–2014), which analyzed the economic impact of public health insurance programs.[6] Her academic work has appeared in journals such as the World Development, Journal of Urban Economics, and Journal of Development Economics.[7]
Policy roles and public engagement[edit | edit source]
Ravi has held multiple advisory and research roles:
- 2023–present: Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India[4]
- 2022–2023: Vice President, Economic Policy, Observer Research Foundation[1]
- 2018–2020: Director of Research, Brookings Institution[8]
- 2014–2018: Fellow, Brookings Institution[8]
She is a regular contributor to Indian media outlets and has authored opinion pieces in newspapers such as The Indian Express, Mint, and The Hindu, focusing on data-driven policymaking and development economics.[9]
Research and views[edit | edit source]
Ravi’s work on gender and politics has examined women’s representation and voting behavior in Indian elections. She has advocated for targeted reservation policies based on empirical evidence of political exclusion.[10] She has publicly opposed the use of randomized quotas, favoring a compensatory justice approach to policy design.
Her views on global trade have emphasized the need for India to balance protectionism with liberalization, particularly in light of international trade tensions.[11]
Her contributions are also featured in edited volumes such as Economic Reasoning and Public Policy Case Studies from India published by RIS.[12]
Media and public discourse[edit | edit source]
Ravi frequently appears in policy forums and public events, discussing development challenges, data governance, and evidence-based reforms. She writes frequently for News and Media Platforms.[13] She has been featured in media programs and platforms such as SheThePeople, Open Magazine, and Asia Society.[14][15]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Shamika Ravi". Observer Research Foundation. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Shamika Ravi appointed to PM's Economic Advisory Council". Hindustan Times. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Prof. Shamika Ravi". W20 India. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dr. Shamika Ravi". Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Shamika Ravi - ISB Profile". Indian School of Business. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Health and Morbidity in India (2004–2014)" (PDF). Brookings Institution. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ Ravi, Shamika (2021). "Institutional Corruption in Indian Politics: An Empirical Analysis". Journal of Development Economics. 148: 101–115.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Shamika Ravi". International Growth Centre. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ Shamika Ravi (4 November 2022). "India's hidden burden of health debt". The Indian Express. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ Masoodi, Ashwaq. "Women can impact outcome, they vote differently from men: Shamika Ravi". Mint. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ Punj, Shweta (12 March 2025). "Trump tariff threats present opportunity for India: Shamika Ravi". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Economic Reasoning and Public Policy Case Studies from India" (PDF). RIS India. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "For India's complex, growing economy, a lesson from China's Qing dynasty". The Indian Express. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ↑ "It Is Crucial For Young Girls To See Female Mentors: Shamika Ravi". SheThePeople. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "Shamika Ravi: India's Explainer". Open Magazine. Retrieved 10 May 2025.