Raghuram Rajan

Dr. Raghuram Rajan is a distinguished economist known for his work in the finance of economic growth. He served as the Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief economist) at the International Monetary Fund from 2003 to December 2006, making him the youngest person to hold the position at that time.

Rajan's research has often focused on political economic policy and the role of institutions in fostering economic development. He was among the early forecasters of the financial crisis, issuing a warning in 2005 during his tenure as chief economist of the IMF about the impending disaster, urging the IMF's research department to prioritize financial-sector issues.

Rajan is known for his role as the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), a position he held from 2013 to 2016. During his tenure, he implemented policies aimed at controlling inflation, stabilizing the Indian rupee, and enhancing the banking sector. His tenure was marked by the introduction of inflation targeting and the enhancement of monetary policy transparency, which attracted both commendation and critique. He chose not to pursue a second term, stepping down in September 2016.

An accomplished author, Rajan has written significantly on global financial imbalances, economic development, and the challenges of capitalism. His notable works include "Fault Lines: How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten the World Economy," which received the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year award, and "Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists," co-authored with Luigi Zingales. His extensive publication record also includes contributions to top economic and finance journals.

In his ongoing academic role, he is the Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a position he currently maintains while on leave. Additionally, Rajan holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Bank for International Settlements.

Rajan's expertise and contributions to financial economics have been recognized globally. He has been honored with several prestigious awards including the Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics (2013) and the inaugural Fischer Black Prize by the American Finance Association. He was also named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.

Rajan holds degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, he has maintained numerous advisory roles and has continued to influence economic policy discussions worldwide, addressing issues from financial sector reforms to the complexities of emerging markets.