Commerce & Finance · Career guide for students
Economist / Policy Researcher
Apply economic models to policy, banking, think-tanks and global agencies. — A complete career guide for Indian students.
3 + 2 yrs (UG + PG); PhD ~5 yrs12th (any stream, Maths preferred) → BA(H)/B.Sc Eco → MA / PhD
Why this career matters in India
India is the 5th-largest economy and a hot bed of policy reform — economists are needed across govt, industry & multilaterals.
Step-by-step roadmap
- 1
BA(H) / B.Sc Economics (strong Maths)
- 2
MA Economics from DSE / ISI / IGIDR / JNU
- 3
Junior researcher / RA at NCAER / RBI / NIPFP
- 4
PhD (India / abroad) for academic / IMF-WB roles
- 5
Or write UPSC Indian Economic Service / RBI Grade B (DEPR)
Skills you'll need
MicroeconomicsMacroeconomicsEconometrics & STATA / R / PythonGame theoryPolicy writingPublic finance
Pros
- High intellectual rigour
- Global mobility
- Multiple sectors (govt / academia / finance)
Watch-outs
- · Long education path for top roles
- · PhD often necessary
Top recruiters & employers
RBINITI AayogWorld BankIMFNCAERCRISILMoody'sJP Morgan ResearchBrookings IndiaAshoka CEPR