Ashok V. Desai

Ashok V. Desai
Ashok Desai
Born1936 (age 89–90)
CitizenshipIndian
OccupationsProfessor
Economist
Academic background
Alma mater(BCom) Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics
University of Mumbai
(B.A. Economics) King's College, Cambridge
(PhDEconomics) University of Cambridge
ThesisReal Wages in Germany 1871–1913
Doctoral advisorPhyllis Deane
Academic work
InstitutionsStanford University
University of Oxford
Delhi School of Economics
University of South Pacific
University of Sussex

Ashok V. Desai,[1][2] (born 1936), is an Indian economist. He has served as Chief Consultant in the Ministry of Finance from 1991 to 1993, and helped overcome India from economic crisis and design the early reforms. His inputs in the reform of taxation, trade policy and financial market regulation were particularly notable. In recent years Desai has carried out major studies of the Indian information technology and telecommunications industries. In the 1980s, Desai coordinated a large survey of research on energy and environment for International Development Research Centre in Ottawa.[3][4]

Education and Career

He graduated from Sydenham College, Bombay University, with a BCom, proceeded to King's College, Cambridge for a BA in Economics where Nicholas Kaldor was his supervisor; his student contemporaries included Jagdish Bhagwati and Manmohan Singh.

He received the PhD in Economics of Cambridge University in 1963 for a thesis on German economic growth before World War I, titled "Real Wages in Germany 1871–1913", done under supervision of Phyllis Deane.

He has been a noted economic journalist and private business consultant in India, and was also Chief Consultant in the Indian Ministry of Finance in 1991–1993 under Manmohan Singh's ministership.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Ashok V Desai". Muck Rack. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Ashok V. Desai". The Org. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Ashok Desai profile". The Org. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Ashok Desai Independent Researcher". Academia .edu. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Column : Good advisor, but who's listening?". The Financial Express. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2013.