The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, has welcomed new external members ahead of the important rate panel meeting set for October 9. Ram Singh, Nagesh Kumar, and Saugata Bhattacharya will serve as the three external members of the six-person committee responsible for making critical monetary policy decisions. Here’s what you should know about them. Ram Singh. Dr. Ram Singh, a respected economist and scholar, has been named to the RBI Monetary Policy Committee. Singh, who is presently the Director of the Delhi School of Economics, has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and policy-making. His specializations encompass public economics, financial regulations, and the Indian economy, which makes him an important asset to the MPC during a crucial period for India’s economy. Additionally, the government has announced three new external members prior to the important RBI MPC meeting. Singh earned his Ph.D. in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University and later pursued post-doctoral research at Harvard University. He has held various leadership positions, such as Director of the Delhi School of Public Policy and Governance and Chairman of the Agriculture Economics Research Centre. Singh has also served as a visiting professor at prestigious institutions like Brown University, the University of Hamburg, and the Paris School of Economics, among others. Besides his academic achievements, Singh has a solid research background, specializing in law and economics, public finance, and taxation. His research on income reporting in India has been extensively referenced, showcasing his impact in both academic and policy-making arenas. Dr. Nagesh Kumar. Dr. Nagesh Kumar, a notable economist, is yet another new member of the top bank’s Monetary Policy Committee. Currently, Kumar is the Director and Chief Executive of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) and has a strong background in international economics and policy. Before joining ISID, he held high-level positions at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), serving as Chief Economist and Director of Macroeconomic Policy. Additionally, UBS predicts that the RBI will begin a rate cut cycle starting in December this year.
