Career Options in Economics: Top 12 Career Opportunities in India [2025]
Updated on May 20, 2025 | 9 min read | 34K+ views
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Updated on May 20, 2025 | 9 min read | 34K+ views
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Economics is an important component and subject of study in the development of any country. The study of economics allows us to study the history, current status, and future predictions of models that benefit the government, businesses, or individuals.
Did you know? India is the world’s fastest-growing economy and has recorded a growth rate of 8.2 % in FY2023-2024.
Being a rapidly developing economy, India has a high scope and growth potential for economics careers. The growing demand of the market, the rise in new sectors, and emerging trends, all lead to the need for economics professionals in India who can offer their expertise and skills across various roles and industries.
Read along as we explore the vast range of career options in economics in India.
Explore Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Courses to sharpen your strategic and economic insight for high-impact roles in business and policy.
Economics offers a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors. Graduates can explore roles in finance, government, research, consulting, and education. With skills in data analysis, policy-making, and market research, economics professionals contribute to strategic decision-making and problem-solving in diverse industries.
JOB PROFILE |
SALARY |
Economist |
16.9 Lakhs |
Economics Teacher |
5.3 Lakhs |
Economics Professor |
₹10 Lakhs |
Personal Financial Advisor |
3 Lakhs |
Supply Chain Analyst |
₹6.9 Lakhs |
14.6 Lakhs |
|
Economic Consultant |
9 Lakhs |
21.7 Lakhs |
|
10 Lakhs |
|
Compensation Manager |
22 Lakhs |
Quantitative Analyst |
17.9 Lakhs |
Trader |
7.4 Lakhs |
Take your expertise to the next level with these globally recognized Doctor of Business Administration programs:
Economists analyze data to understand economic trends, policies, and issues affecting markets and industries.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Mastering data tools is a must for aspiring economists. Explore these 60 Advanced Excel Formulas to boost your analysis and forecasting skills.
Personal financial advisors assist individuals in managing their finances, including investments, savings, and retirement planning.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
If you find the world of finance interesting, there are many other exciting roles you might want to explore. You can learn more about various opportunities in finance at career options in finance.
An economics teacher educates students on economic concepts, theories, and real-world applications of economics.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Economics professors teach and conduct research in economic theory, policy, and applications at higher education institutions.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Economics is just one of many paths where commerce and maths come together. If you want to see how else these fields connect and what careers you can build, this page on career options in commerce with maths is worth a look.
Supply chain analysts evaluate and optimize the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Data scientists use advanced statistical and computational techniques to analyze complex data sets and extract actionable insights.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
You might find it helpful to explore a career in data science to see how you can turn your passion for data into a successful profession.
Economic consultants provide advice to businesses and governments on economic strategies, policies, and issues affecting industries.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
A product manager typically oversees the development and success of a product, keeping a close eye on the entire process from concept to launch.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Curious about other top-paying career paths? There are plenty of options worth checking out. This page on top career options in India can give you a good idea of what’s available and help you explore what might suit you best.
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risks and help companies develop insurance policies and pension plans.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
A compensation manager oversees the design and implementation of employee compensation structures, ensuring fairness and competitiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
If management roles like compensation manager interest you, there are many exciting career paths to explore. Check out the top career options in management to discover more opportunities that could be the perfect fit for you.
Quantitative analysts apply mathematical models and algorithms to analyze financial markets, risks, and investment opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Trade specialists or traders buy and sell securities or commodities on behalf of clients or organizations, managing risks and optimizing portfolios.
Key Responsibilities:
Where They Work:
Let’s also take a brief look at the top 5 government jobs you can get with an economics degree in India:
ROLE |
Hiring Organization |
IES(Indian Economics Service) Officer |
UPSC |
ISS (Indian Statistical Service) Officer |
UPSC |
RBI Grade B Officer |
RBI |
Economics Expert |
NITI Aayog |
Research Analyst |
SEBI |
Complete this 2-hour long free Economics Masterclass and earn a certificate now!
India is home to several prestigious institutions offering top-tier economics programs. These colleges and universities are renowned for their academic rigor, research facilities, and faculty expertise. These institutes allow economics graduates to excel in various fields, including government, academia, and the private sector.
Below is a list of top economics institutes in India:
INSTITUTE |
NIRF RANKING 2024 |
Delhi University |
#6 |
Jawaharlal Nehru University |
#2 |
S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology |
#12 |
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad |
#1 (management) |
Banaras Hindu University |
#5 |
Jamia Millia Islamia |
#3 |
Jadavpur University |
#9 |
Presidency College |
#13 |
Note: These NIRF rankings are based on college, university, and department rankings
India’s GDP is expected to grow at a rate of 7 percent for FY25, hence paving the way for a flourishing economic impact. In fact, India’s GDP has witnessed phenomenal growth in the past decade, landing India a place among the top GDP countries.
India is set to become a major force in the world economy and shall face a growing need for economics experts to lead the way towards economic as well as socio-economic development. More and more countries are considering India as a potential future market and making calculative investments due to its proven track record in economic growth.
Here are some predicted trends in Indian economics:
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We explored how economics offers diverse and dynamic career opportunities in India, ranging from finance to policy-making. With the growing need for data-driven insights, professionals can thrive in sectors like banking, consulting, and government.
The increasing importance of sustainability, digital finance, and health economics further broadens the scope of economics in India. There are now ample avenues for growth. By combining analytical skills with real-world applications, economics graduates can contribute significantly to India's economic development. Thus, there are immense career options in economics that you can pursue and leverage your advanced knowledge in this field.
If you’d like to explore a bunch of courses to upskill yourself, check out upGrad’s courses!
Looking for professional guidance about your career options? Book a free 1:1 counseling session with us now to avail of personalized mentorship now!
Reference Links:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/india/overview
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/economist-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/personal-financial-advisor-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/economics-teacher-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/economics-professor-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/supply-chain-analyst-salary
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/economic-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/product-manager-salary
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/actuary-salary-SRCH_KO0,7.htm
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/compensation-manager-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/quantitative-analyst-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/trader-salary
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/data-scientist-salary
https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2024/UniversityRanking.html
https://www.nirfindia.org/nirfpdfcdn/2024/pdf/Report/IR2024_Report.pdf
https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2024/CollegeRanking.html
https://www.ibef.org/economy/indian-economy-overview
https://kpmg.com/in/en/home/insights/2024/05/decoding-indias-economic-growth.html
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