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Category — GS Paper 2 ///Published — 2026-04-28 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Quick Facts For Prelims, GS Paper - 2, NITI Aayog ///Category — GS Paper 2 ///Published — 2026-04-28 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Quick Facts For Prelims, GS Paper - 2, NITI Aayog ///

News · GS Paper 2

NITI Aayog Reconstructed: New Focus on Science and Technology

The Government of India has reconstituted NITI Aayog with Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice-Chairperson, replacing Suman K. Bery. The new composition includes five full-time members with strong backgrounds in health, biotechnology, and deep tech—a departure from its traditional economist-heavy structure. This restructuring signals a shift toward science, technology, and health-driven policymaking, aligning with India's innovation and research development goals.

2026-04-28

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Background and reconstitution

The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) has undergone a significant reconstitution. Ashok Kumar Lahiri has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairperson, succeeding Suman K. Bery. The overhaul introduces five new full-time members, with three having strong backgrounds in health, biotechnology, and deep tech sectors.

Key Features of NITI Aayog

Formation and Legal Status

Established: 2015 via Union Cabinet resolution
Replaced: Planning Commission
Legal Status: Advisory, extra-constitutional, non-statutory body
Role: Apex public policy think tank of Government of India

Core Philosophy

Cooperative Federalism: Treats states as equal partners in national development (unlike Planning Commission which dictated policies)
Competitive Federalism: Encourages healthy competition among states to improve performance across sectors

Composition and Leadership

Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
Vice-Chairperson: Appointed by PM, holds rank of Cabinet Minister
Governing Council: Highest decision-making body (Chief Ministers of all States/UTs with legislatures, Lieutenant Governors)
CEO: Appointed by PM, holds rank of Secretary to Government of India
Full-Time Members: Experts from various fields
Regional Council: Addresses specific regional issues
Ex-Officio Members: Maximum four from Union Council of Ministers

Key Functions

Designing strategic and long-term policy frameworks
Maintaining state-of-the-art resource center
Monitoring and evaluating government programs
Acting as knowledge and innovation hub

Major Initiatives

Aspiral Districts Programme: Transforming 112 underdeveloped districts
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship culture
SDG India Index: Measuring Sustainable Development Goals progress
Fiscal Health Index: Assessing state finances
State Health Index: Evaluating healthcare performance
Composite Water Management Index: Monitoring water resources
Export Preparedness Index: Tracking export readiness

Significance of Recent Reconstitution

The 2026 reconstitution marks a departure from NITI Aayog's traditional economist-heavy composition, signaling stronger focus on science, technology, and health sectors. This aligns with NITI Aayog's push to improve "Ease of Doing Research and Development in India" and underscores the need for adaptable, innovation-driven regulatory frameworks.