India Reconstitutes NITI Aayog, Names Lahiri Vice Chairperson

The Indian government has reconstituted NITI Aayog, its premier policy think tank, by appointing veteran economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as the new Vice Chairperson and inducting five full-time members, including former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, who has been retained in his role. The announcement, made on April 25, 2026, in New Delhi, positions Lahiri as the second-highest official in the organization after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who serves as its Chairperson. This move comes amid ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal, where Lahiri is a sitting Bharatiya Janata Party legislator but has chosen not to contest.

Lahiri, who assumed charge following the reconstitution, met with Prime Minister Modi on April 26 to discuss his new responsibilities. During the meeting, Lahiri highlighted the Prime Minister's vision for a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, by 2047, emphasizing the need for well-framed policies to achieve sustainable growth. He also acknowledged the influence of West Bengal's education policies on his career, describing his appointment as a point of pride for the state.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in Lahiri's ability to bolster India's economic...