Concept:
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) serves as the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India. The Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog holds a critical administrative rank (equivalent to a Cabinet Minister) and is appointed directly by the Prime Minister to lead economic policy formulation, cooperative federalism guidelines, and strategic planning.
Step 1: Trace the leadership timeline of NITI Aayog. Following the tenure of Dr. Rajiv Kumar, noted economist Suman K. Bery was assigned the leadership mantle as the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
Step 2: Verify administrative continuations and official reaffirmations in the 2026 policy framework. Suman K. Bery continues to spearhead the high-level policy guidelines, review meetings, and state-level consultation mechanisms as the designated Vice Chairperson.
Step 3: Evaluate options. Ashok Kumar Lahiri is a renowned economist and member of the Finance Commission; Abhijit Banerjee is a Nobel laureate based primarily in academia; Kaushik Basu served as Chief Economic Adviser previously. Suman K. Bery remains the correct match for the specific administrative designation within NITI Aayog.