The Center on Saturday appointed academician Joram Aniya and science author R. Balasubramaniam as full-time members of NITI Aayog, taking the number of such members in the government think tank to seven along with the vice-chairman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves as the Chairman of NITI Aayog.
“Consequent to the notification of the Cabinet Secretariat dated 24.04.2026, the Prime Minister has approved the appointment of the following persons as full-time members of NITI Aayog with effect from the date of assumption of charge and till further orders on the same terms and conditions as are applicable to full-time members,” the notification issued by Dr. by the Cabinet Secretariat.
While congratulating Dr. R. Balasubramaniam and Dr. To Joram Aniya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that their vast experience will strengthen policy making and wished them full-time membership in their upcoming journey to NITI Aayog.
PM Modi said on X: “I congratulate Dr. R. Balasubramaniam Ji and Dr. Joram Aniya Ji on their appointment as full-time members of NITI Aayog. Their wealth of experience and deep understanding of various issues will greatly enhance policy-making. I am confident that their contributions will help drive innovation and growth across sectors. I wish them a very productive and impactful period.”
Who is Dr. Joram Aniya?
An experienced academician and associate professor, Aniya also serves on the Arunachal Pradesh Private Education Regulatory Commission and has over 18 years of teaching, research and public policy experience. She is the first woman from the Nyishi community to receive a PhD and the first in the state to do so in Hindi, and has made significant contributions to literature, culture and indigenous knowledge systems.
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Aniya is also the author and editor of several books on Nyishi literature and culture and has published numerous research papers.
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According to a report citing sources, the addition of Aniya to the think tank on a full-time basis was considered a significant milestone as it ushered a prominent intellectual from Arunachal Pradesh into the country’s main decision-making platform.
Who is Dr R Balasubramaniam?
Scholar-author Balasubramaniam is known as a public policy expert and development activist. A medical doctor by training, he founded the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM).
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He also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Meanwhile, on 24 April, in a major reorganization of NITI Aayog, the government appointed Ashok Kumar Lahiri as vice-chairman and appointed economist KV Raja, AIIMS director M. Srinivas, science and technology secretary Abhay Karandikar, scientist Gobardhan Das and former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gau as full members of the government.
PM Modi said he met Professor Gobardhan Das and was inspired by his life’s journey, noting that the challenges he faced only deepened his resolve to serve society and work to reduce suffering. He added that this spirit is evident in his contributions to public health and immunology, and that his extensive academic work and expertise would strengthen the country’s policy-making framework.
Prof. Das expressed his commitment to serve with integrity, dedication and full responsibility to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India. He also said that only under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, a person from a marginalized agricultural background has received such recognition and honour.
“Today it is a matter of pride for every citizen of Bengal that a simple person like me got an opportunity to serve as a member of NITI Aayog. With your blessings entire Bengal is extremely proud. For that I am deeply grateful to you Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.
