Who is the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC) as of February 2018?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on economic governance in India, specifically the leadership of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC). The PMEAC is a body that provides the Prime Minister with independent economic analysis and recommendations, especially on macroeconomic issues. Knowing who chaired this council at a certain time reflects awareness of contemporary economic policy institutions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The body in question is the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister.
• Time reference is “as of February 2018”.
• Options are Bibek Debroy, Amit Mitra, Amartya Sen and Najma Heptulla.
• We assume standard official appointments in that period.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to recall that the government reconstituted the PMEAC in 2017 as the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, with noted economist Bibek Debroy as its Chairman. The other personalities listed have important roles in economics, politics or academia but did not chair this specific council at that time. Identification and elimination based on roles and designations gives the answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that in 2017, the government formed a new Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister headed by economist Bibek Debroy.Step 2: This council continued into 2018, so in February 2018, Bibek Debroy was still serving as Chairman.Step 3: Amit Mitra is an economist and politician associated with the Finance Ministry of West Bengal, not the central PMEAC Chairman during that time.Step 4: Amartya Sen is a Nobel Prize winning economist but did not hold this specific official advisory role in 2018.Step 5: Najma Heptulla is a senior politician and former Governor, not the PMEAC Chair.Step 6: Therefore, Bibek Debroy is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard economic current affairs notes for 2017–2018, government press releases and reputable newspapers all state that Bibek Debroy, a member of NITI Aayog, was appointed as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. None of the other figures is mentioned as holding this position, confirming that option A is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Amit Mitra: Known for being Finance Minister of West Bengal and associated with state level finance, not the national PMEAC Chief.
Amartya Sen: A globally renowned economist and Nobel laureate, but not the PMEAC Chairman in that period.
Najma Heptulla: Senior politician who has held posts such as Governor and Union Minister, but not head of the PMEAC.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted to choose Amartya Sen because he is the most famous economist in the options, but exams often test specific posts, not general fame. Another pitfall is confusion between different advisory bodies, such as NITI Aayog, Finance Commissions and councils headed by different experts. Linking Bibek Debroy both to NITI Aayog and to the PMEAC helps cement the correct association in memory.

Final Answer:
As of February 2018, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister was Bibek Debroy.