Vijay Laxman Kelkar holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS from the University of Minnesota, and a BS from the University of Pune. In 2011, the President of India awarded Kelkar the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award for distinguished and exceptional services to the nation.
He was the Chairman of the 13th Finance Commission in the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister. He held senior positions in the Government of India (GoI), as well as in international organisations, including as Executive Director for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), 1999–2002; Finance Secretary, GoI, 1998–99; Chairman, Tariff Commission, GoI, 1997–98; Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, GoI, 1994–97; Director & Coordinator, International Trade Division, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 1991–94; Chairman, Bureau of Industrial Costs & Prices and Secretary to the GoI, 1987–91; Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, GoI, 1985–88.
He was the Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi, and serves as Chairman, India Development Foundation, New Delhi; Vice President, Pune International Centre, Pune; and Chairman, Janwani, Pune.
Kelkar has taught at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad; Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA), Nepal; South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany; and University of California, Berkeley, USA.