Who Is Raghuram Rajan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Raghuram Rajan, born on February 3, 1963, is a prominent Indian economist known for his tenure as the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 2013 to 2016. He gained international acclaim for his insights on global economic trends and policies. As of 2025, Raghuram Rajan is 62 years old. He has been involved in numerous high-profile economic discussions and has authored several influential papers and books on economics, making him a prominent figure in both academic and policy-making circles.
| Occupation | Presidents |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1963 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Raghuram Rajan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Raghuram Rajan stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). While exact details about his weight are not publicly disclosed, he maintains a professional appearance that resonates with his expert status. His body measurements are not extensively reported, focusing instead on his intellectual contributions rather than physical attributes.
Rajan has written extensively on banking, corporate finance, international finance, growth and development, and organisational structures. He is a regular contributor to Project Syndicate. He has collaborated with Douglas Diamond to produce much-cited work on banks, and their interlinkages with macroeconomic phenomena.
He has worked with Luigi Zingales on the effect of institutions on economic growth, their research showing that development of free financial markets is fundamental to economic modernisation. Rajan and Zingales built on their work to publish Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists in 2003.
The book argued that entrenched incumbents in closed financial markets stifle competition and reforms, thereby inhibiting economic growth. Rajan's 2010 book Fault Lines: How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten the World Economy examined the fundamental stresses in the American and the global economy that led to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.
He argued that widening income inequality in the US, trade imbalances in the global economy, and the clash between arm's length financial systems, were responsible for bringing about the crisis. The book won the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Raghuram Rajan is happily married to Rajeswari Rajan, a devoted spouse who has stood by him through his illustrious career. They are blessed with two children. As of 2025, Raghuram Rajan is not reported to have any extramarital relationships or affairs, emphasizing his commitment to his family.
Assigned to the Intelligence Bureau, R. Govindarajan, his father, was posted to Indonesia in 1966. In 1968, he joined the newly created external intelligence unit, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) where he served as staff officer under R. N. Kao and became part of the "Kaoboys".
In 1970, he was posted to Sri Lanka, where Rajan missed school one year because of political turmoil. After Sri Lanka, R. Govindarajan was posted to Belgium where the children attended a French school. In 1974, the family returned to India.
Throughout his childhood, Rajan presumed his father to be a diplomat since the family traveled on diplomatic passports. He was a half-term student of Campion School, Bhopal until 1974.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Raghuram Rajan's net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. His wealth primarily stems from his extensive career in economics, including high-profile roles in academia and international financial organizations. Rajan's salary during his time at the RBI, along with his earnings from consulting and speaking engagements, significantly contribute to his financial standing.
Rajan advocates giving financial markets a greater role in the economy.
In the book Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists: Unleashing the Power of Financial Markets to Create Wealth and Spread Opportunity co-authored with Luigi Zingales, the two authors argue in favour of deregulated financial markets in order to facilitate access of the poor to finance: "Capitalism, or more precisely, the free market system, is the m
ost effective way to organise production and distribution that human beings have found … healthy and competitive financial markets are an extraordinarily effective tool in spreading opportunity and fighting poverty.
…Without vibrant, innovative financial markets, economies would ossify and decline." (p 1)
Career, Business, and Investments
Raghuram Rajan's career spans across multiple prestigious positions. After serving as the Governor of the RBI, he became the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His insights are often sought after by governments and financial institutions worldwide. Rajan has also been involved in various international economic organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In addition to his academic role, he has made strategic investments in various sectors, particularly in technology and finance, reflecting his keen understanding of global markets. His business acumen and foresight have positioned him as a thought leader in the field of economics.
Raghuram Govind Rajan (born 3 February 1963) is an Indian economist and the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Between 2003 and 2006 he was Chief Economist and director of research at the International Monetary Fund.
From September 2013 through September 2016 he was the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. In 2015, during his tenure at the RBI, he became the Vice-Chairman of the Bank for International Settlements.
Social Network
Raghuram Rajan is active on social media, where he shares insights on economic trends and engages with a global audience. He has a notable following on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn, using these channels to promote discussions on economic policies and reforms. His social media presence is instrumental in connecting with both industry professionals and the general public interested in economic issues.
From 1974 to 1981 Rajan attended Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, In 1981 he enrolled at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi for a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In the final year of his four-year degree, he headed the Student Affairs Council.
He graduated in 1985 and was awarded the Director's Gold Medal as the best all-round student. In 1987, he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (equivalent to MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, graduating with a gold medal for academic performance.
He joined the Tata Administrative Services as a management trainee, but left after a few months to join the doctoral program at the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Education
Raghuram Rajan pursued his undergraduate degree at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering. He then went on to receive his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, followed by a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His robust educational background has played a pivotal role in shaping his contributions to the field of economics.
While he was asked to stay on as the chief economist for a second term, Rajan left after one term as the University of Chicago indicated that his leave could not be extended.
