Centre Appoints Senior IAS Anurag Jain as NITI Aayog CEO

NEW DELHI — The Union Government on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, appointed senior 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anurag Jain as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog. Approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), Jain assumes charge of the Centre’s premier public policy think tank for an overall tenure of two years, succeeding interim head Nidhi Chhibber. The strategic appointment comes as the institution works to accelerate policy formulation aimed at long-term economic growth, competitive federalism, and the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Senior Bureaucrat Steps In to Head India's Apex Policy Body

According to an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the ACC approved the appointment of Anurag Jain, a Madhya Pradesh cadre officer, in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India. Jain will assume charge with immediate effect for the duration of his approved tenure in service and thereafter on contract, for an overall period of two years or until further orders.

Jain succeeds Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), who held the CEO position as an additional interim charge following the end of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam's tenure. Prior to his selection, Jain served as the 35th Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, managing key state infrastructure, fiscal health, and grassroots welfare programs.

Decades of Administrative and Policy Experience

Anurag Jain brings nearly four decades of public administration experience spanning key central ministries and state governance roles. An electrical engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School in the United States, Jain has spearheaded several flagship national initiatives:

• PM Gati Shakti & Industry: As Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), he played a pivotal role in operationalizing the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity.

• Infrastructure Expansion: Served as Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), overseeing national highway corridor developments.

• Financial Inclusion: Worked in the Department of Financial Services during the crucial rollout of the PM Jan Dhan Yojana.

• Prime Minister's Office: Served as Joint Secretary in the PMO between 2011 and 2015.

In his new capacity as CEO, Jain will direct NITI Aayog's daily operations, driving evidence-based policy research, inter-ministerial coordination, and cooperative federalism across all 28 states and 8 Union Territories.

Official Sources Section

All administrative orders, cadre transfers, and official appointment terms detailing Anurag Jain's posting as NITI Aayog CEO are published on the official portal of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and verified via official media notifications issued by the Press Information Bureau and NITI Aayog.

Quote Section

According to official releases from government notifications:

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Anurag Jain, IAS (MP:1989) as Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of the post, till his approved tenure of extension in service and thereafter, for an overall period of two years or until further orders."

Why It Matters

The appointment of an experienced administrator as NITI Aayog CEO ensures strong alignment between central economic planning and state-level execution. With major focus areas surrounding infrastructure integration, employment generation, digital economy expansion, and state-level investment climate reforms, Jain's background in DPIIT, MoRTH, and state administration provides the institutional continuity required to advance critical policy initiatives.

Key Facts at a Glance

• New Appointment: Anurag Jain (1989-batch MP cadre IAS) named NITI Aayog CEO.

• Tenure: Approved for a period of two years by the ACC.

• Predecessor Transition: Succeeds interim CEO Nidhi Chhibber.

• Background: Former Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Secretary at DPIIT, and Secretary at MoRTH.

• Core Mandate: Leading policy research, state-level reform monitoring, and the Viksit Bharat initiative.

FAQ Section

Who is Anurag Jain?

Anurag Jain is a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre who has served as MP Chief Secretary, DPIIT Secretary, and Road Transport Secretary.

What is the tenure of the new NITI Aayog CEO?

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a two-year tenure for Anurag Jain from the date he assumes charge.

Who held the position before Anurag Jain?

Nidhi Chhibber held the additional interim charge of NITI Aayog CEO starting February 2026, following the completion of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam's tenure.

What are the main responsibilities of the NITI Aayog CEO?

The CEO manages the think tank's operations, coordinates policy initiatives between central ministries and states, oversees national development monitoring, and promotes competitive federalism.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), NITI Aayog