Ranchi: In a proud moment for Jharkhand, Sankalp Sinha, a native of Ranchi and a seasoned professional in the automotive and aerospace sectors, has been appointed as a member of the newly constituted Standing Advisory Committee of NITI Aayog, India’s apex policy think tank.
The high-level committee has been formed with the strategic objective of fostering university-industry-government (UIG) collaboration in the field of research and development (R&D). The initiative is part of India’s larger vision to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and accelerate translational research, paving the way for a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
Committee Led by Padma Bhushan Dr. V.K. Saraswat
The committee will be chaired by Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog. It is tasked with identifying systemic gaps and promoting seamless partnerships across the academia-industry-government spectrum to make research outputs more applicable, scalable, and impactful.
Sankalp Sinha: A Technocrat with Global Credentials
Currently serving as General Manager for Automotive, Aerospace & Defence Sector at IBM, Sankalp Sinha has held several influential positions with leading industry bodies like FICCI and CII. His expertise spans supply chain transformation, emerging technologies, and sectoral innovation strategy.
An alumnus of St. Xavier’s School, Ranchi and Delhi Public School (DPS), Ranchi, Sankalp pursued an MBA from S.P. Jain Institute, Mumbai and further specialized in Supply Chain Management from the University of Michigan, USA.
He is also the recipient of the prestigious Global World 40 Under 40 Award, which was presented to him by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on February 7, 2024.
Deep Local Roots, Global Vision
Sankalp’s appointment is a matter of great pride for Jharkhand. Born and raised in Ranchi, his father Dr. Shailendra Prasad Sinha is a retired professor of anthropology from Ranchi University, while his mother Rita Sahay is a homemaker. His wife Divya, also an engineer, hails from Ranchi, and the family currently resides on Kanke Road.
Sankalp has authored over 40 international publications on cutting-edge innovations in the automotive, aerospace, and defence sectors. His appointment to NITI Aayog’s Standing Committee signifies the government’s focus on including global thinkers and technocrats in national policymaking.
Strengthening India’s R&D Landscape
This Standing Advisory Committee will play a key role in shaping policy frameworks, enabling grassroots-level R&D, and enhancing inter-sectoral collaboration. By bridging the divide between research, enterprise, and policy, the committee aims to catalyze inclusive and innovation-led development in the country.
