This marks the first time that two distinguished professionals from the State have been appointed simultaneously to the Niti Aayog.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Development activist and leadership trainer R. Balasubramaniam and economist K. V. Raju from Karnataka have been appointed as full-time members of NITI Aayog by the Centre. This marks the first time that two distinguished professionals from the State have been appointed simultaneously to the policy-making body.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the chairman of the NITI Aayog, reconstituted the body by appointing new members. Economist Ashok Lahiri, former BJP MLA in West Bengal, has been appointed as vice-chairman.
Dr. R Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Dr. Balu, is a development activist, leadership trainer, and author. He has nearly four decades of experience in development and public policy. Dr. Balu holds an MBBS and an M.Phil in Hospital Administration and Health Systems Management from BITS, Pilani. He played a key role in formulating the Karnataka Youth Policy during the BJP government in 2022.
He is the founder of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement and the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement, Mysuru, both of which have advanced community-driven development and policy advocacy across India.
Dr. Balu also served as member (HR) at the Capacity Building Commission, New Delhi, from its inception until April 2026. A former Rhodes professor at Cornell University, USA, he has conducted leadership workshops in India and abroad and authored several books.
Prof. K.V. Raju served as the economic advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the past nine years. Earlier, he was economic advisor to the BJP-led government in Karnataka (2008–13). He was a professor at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, and has held multiple positions, including principal scientist at ICRISAT, Hyderabad; visiting research fellow at IFPRI, Washington D.C.; professor emeritus at Chanakya University, Bengaluru; and member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.
He also authored several books on economics and public policy. (EOM)
Published – May 06, 2026 06:47 pm IST
