PM Re-constitutes NITI Aayog, Former CEA Ashok Kumar Lahiri to Become Next Vice-Chairperson

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the restructuring of government think tank NITI Aayog. The name of former Chief Economic Adviser Ashok Kumar Lahiri has been cleared for Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog. 

Names of five full time members have also been cleared. These are Rajiv Gauba, Prof KV Raju, Prof Gobardhan Das, Prof Abhay Karandikar and Dr. M. Srinivas. The notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat says that these appointments will take effect from the dates of assumption of charge and until further orders.

Former CEA Lahiri is a BJP MLA

Currently a BJP MLA from Balurghat in West Bengal, Lahiri has had a long and influential career in economic policymaking. He previously served as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India and was also a member of the 15th Finance Commission. Notably, he is not contesting the ongoing state assembly elections.

His professional journey spans key roles in national and international institutions, including stints with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and Presidency University, Lahiri has been a prominent voice advocating for West Bengal’s economic progress.

Prof Das is Director of IISER Bhopal

Gobardhan Das, who is set to take over as a member of NITI Aayog, currently serves as the director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal. Before this, he was associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he led the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine.

Das is an internationally acclaimed scientist specialising in immunology, infectious diseases, and cell biology, with nearly three decades of research experience. He is particularly known for his work on the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, earning global recognition.

His academic and research career includes collaborations with leading global institutions such as Yale University, Houston Methodist Hospital, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa’s National Research Foundation. 

Rajiv Gauba is a retired IAS. He was Cabinet Secretary of India for five years from 30 August 2019 to 30 August 2024. He served as Union Home Secretary also.

Prof KV Raju is Currently, Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. He is also, working as the Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. Earlier he worked as the Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka. He is Professor Emeritus at Chanakya University, Bengaluru, India. He was Principal Scientist, Policy and Impact, Asia division at ICRISAT, Hyderabad.

Prof Abhay Karandikar is currently serving as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). He is a renowned expert in telecom technology, with a background as Director of IIT Kanpur.

Dr. M. Srinivas is the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi.