Prof. Rajnish Pande is a senior academician, researcher, and experienced university administrator with more than 39 years of teaching and academic experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. An alumnus of Kumaun University, he is currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at Kumaun University, Nainital. His areas of research include Regional Economics and Labour Economics. He has published numerous research papers, edited four books, contributed chapters to edited volumes, and guided research scholars towards Ph.D. degrees.
He has extensive experience in university administration and institutional governance, having served as Controller of Examinations at Kumaun University (2014–2017) and as a Non-Official Independent Director of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), Shimla (2019–2022) , following his appointment by the Hon'ble President of India.
Since 2022, he has served as Director, Institute of Professional Studies and Development Research (I.P.S.D.R.), Kumaun University, and is currently also discharging the additional charge of Registrar, Kumaun University. His extensive academic, administrative, and governance experience makes him a distinguished and experienced academic administrator.