NITI's new V-C Rajiv Kumar: A homegrown economist who keeps a low profile

Kumar has had stints working in the central govt and has served with industry bodies FICCI, CII

Days after Arvind Panagariya stepped down from the post, the Narendra Modi government on Saturday named noted economist Rajiv Kumar as the new vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog. With Kumar’s appointment, the Modi administration has thrown another curveball, the likes of which political and policy observers are used to by now. With regards to appointments, the motto is simple: Expect the unexpected.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government's appointment of Kumar comes after names like Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and former expenditure and revenue secretary N