India’s policy think tank NITI Aayog is witnessing key leadership changes with new appointments aimed at strengthening economic policy expertise and ensuring continuity in governance.

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• The government is set to appoint Ashok Lahiri as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog replacing Suman Bery marking a major leadership transition

• Alongside this appointment Gobardhan Das is expected to join as a member bringing scientific expertise into the policy making body

• Ashok Lahiri brings extensive experience having served as Chief Economic Adviser and worked with global institutions like the IMF and World Bank

• The leadership reshuffle comes amid broader administrative transitions including the end of tenure of CEO B V R Subrahmanyam in February 2026

• Senior IAS officer Nidhi Chhibber has taken additional charge as CEO ensuring continuity in operations and policy implementation

• These appointments are seen as significant in strengthening economic policy direction and institutional capacity of India’s premier public policy body NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog plays a central role in shaping long term development strategies promoting cooperative federalism and monitoring flagship government programmes

• Overall the new leadership reflects a blend of economic expertise administrative experience and scientific knowledge aimed at enhancing policy effectiveness in India