NITI Aayog revamp shows tilt towards science and health, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• NITI Aayog was revamped last week with new full-time members.
• Three of the five new members have backgrounds in health, biotechnology, and science.

Detailed Insights:

• The revamp indicates a shift in focus towards technology and health sectors within NITI Aayog's priorities.
• Abhay Karandikar is currently the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and was previously the Director of IIT Kanpur.
• M. Srinivas was the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.
• Gobardhan Das is the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal.
• K.V. Raju is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, specializing in agricultural, rural development, and water policy.
• Ashok Lahiri served as the Chief Economic Adviser from 2002 to 2007 and has worked with the World Bank and the IMF.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NITI Aayog: A premier policy think tank of the Government of India, providing directional and policy inputs.
• Think Tank: An organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy on various subjects, including social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues.
• Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister: A non-constitutional, non-permanent body constituted to give economic advice to the Prime Minister.