By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| New Delhi: With the Centre reconstituting NITI Aayog and appointing former Chief Economic Advisor Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice Chairman along with five full-time members, attention in the power corridors has now shifted to one key question — who will be appointed as the full-time Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institution.

The Government of India has entrusted additional charge of CEO, NITI Aayog, to Nidhi Chhibber following the completion of the tenure of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam. The move marked an important leadership transition at India’s premier public policy think tank.

The latest reconstitution has brought in prominent names such as economist K.V. Raju, M. Srinivas, and Abhay Karandikar among the five full-time members, indicating the government’s intent to further strengthen the institution’s policy and governance framework.

However, the appointment of a permanent CEO remains the most closely watched development. Administrative circles are abuzz with speculation over whether the government may choose a senior serving bureaucrat with strong policy execution experience, or opt for a technocrat with deep institutional and reform-oriented expertise.

Given NITI Aayog’s expanding role in economic strategy, state coordination, innovation policy, and long-term development planning, the CEO’s position is seen as critical in steering the organisation’s next phase of influence.

While no official announcement has yet been made, names from the senior IAS ranks and officers with prior experience in economic governance and central administration are being widely discussed in Delhi’s policy circles.

Until a formal appointment is made, Nidhi Chhibber continues to hold additional charge, ensuring continuity in the functioning of the institution. The final decision on the full-time CEO is expected to attract considerable attention across governance and policy circles.