Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the appointments of Joram Aniya and R. Balasubramaniam as full-time members of the NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank. This decision follows the reconstitution of NITI Aayog on April 24, where Modi also appointed Ashok Kumar Lahiri as vice chairperson. Aniya, who has over 18 years of experience in academia and public policy, is celebrated as the first woman from the Nyishi community in Arunachal Pradesh to earn a PhD. She currently leads the Hindi Department at the Dera Natung Government College in Itanagar and has made notable contributions to literature and indigenous knowledge. Balasubramaniam, who serves as a member of the Capacity Building Commission, has authored several books, including one on Modi's leadership legacy. The inclusion of these academicians is seen as a significant step towards enhancing intellectual representation in national policymaking.