Around the years 2017 to 2018, who was serving as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, the Government of India premier policy think tank that replaced the Planning Commission?

Introduction / Context:
NITI Aayog is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, created to replace the Planning Commission and to drive cooperative federalism and long term policy vision. Its leadership structure includes a Vice Chairman, full time members and part time members. Examinations frequently ask about the names and roles of key office holders in major institutions, and for several years one economist held the post of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the period around 2017 to 2018.
• It asks who was serving as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
• The options given are Rajeev Shukla, V. K. Paul, Rajiv Kumar and Bibek Debroy.
• We assume the question reflects the widely reported appointment that took place after the previous Vice Chairman resigned.

Concept / Approach:
After the first Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog stepped down, economist Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the new Vice Chairman in 2017. He continued to serve in that role during 2017 and 2018, and his name appeared often in policy discussions and official briefings. V. K. Paul and Bibek Debroy are also associated with NITI Aayog but in different capacities, while Rajeev Shukla is a political figure not primarily known for this role. Remembering this personnel change is key to answering correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Focus on the institution NITI Aayog and the post of Vice Chairman. 2. Recall that economist Rajiv Kumar was appointed as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog in 2017 after the earlier office holder resigned. 3. Recognise that he held this position through the period around 2017 and 2018, making him the relevant name for most exam questions set for that time frame. 4. Look at the options and identify Rajiv Kumar as one of the choices. 5. Note that V. K. Paul serves as a member responsible for health, and Bibek Debroy has served as a member or as chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, not as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. 6. Therefore, select Rajiv Kumar as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official government notifications and news reports from 2017 confirm that Rajiv Kumar was appointed as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. Subsequent policy discussions, interviews and NITI Aayog documents list him in that role. Profiles of V. K. Paul describe him as a member in charge of health and related programmes, while Bibek Debroy is described as an economist and head of other advisory bodies. Rajeev Shukla is generally mentioned in political and sports administration contexts rather than in connection with NITI Aayog leadership.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Rajeev Shukla is a politician and cricket administrator and has not served as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
• V. K. Paul is a member of NITI Aayog responsible for health but not the Vice Chairman.
• Bibek Debroy is an economist associated with the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and other roles, but he has not held the post of Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes mix up different advisory bodies and titles, confusing the Economic Advisory Council leadership with NITI Aayog positions. Others may not pay attention to the time frame and think of earlier or later office holders. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to link each person with a simple tag in memory: Rajiv Kumar with Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, V. K. Paul with health related membership and Bibek Debroy with economic advisory roles to the Prime Minister.

Final Answer:
Around the years 2017 to 2018, the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog was Rajiv Kumar.