An economist working as a Senior Policy Advisor with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he holds a PhD in Commerce and Business Studies from the Jamia Millia Central University, in New Delhi. Additionally, he is a post graduate diploma holder in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), in Anand, Gujarat. A committed educationist, he has also been the Academic Head of Indian School of Finance and Management, and the Executive Director and Editor, Encyclopedia Britannica.