Shamika Ravi

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.

Early life and education

Ravi was born in Patna, and raised in Kerala, India. She completed her undergraduate degree from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, in 1996. She later attended the Delhi School of Economics and received her Ph.D. in economics from New York University.

Academic career

Ravi joined the Indian School of Business in 2005 as a visiting faculty member, later becoming an assistant professor and eventually a professor of economics. 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 , which analyzed the economic impact of public health insurance programs. Her academic work has appeared in journals such as the World Development, Journal of Urban Economics, and Journal of Development Economics.

Policy roles and public engagement

Ravi has held multiple advisory and research roles:

2023–present: Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India
2022–2023: Vice President, Economic Policy, Observer Research Foundation
2018–2020: Director of Research, Brookings Institution
2014–2018: Fellow, Brookings Institution

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.

Research and views

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. 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.
Her contributions are also featured in edited volumes such as Economic Reasoning and Public Policy Case Studies from India published by RIS.

Media and public discourse

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. She has been featured in media programs and platforms such as SheThePeople, Open Magazine, and Asia Society.