NITI Aayog has a new Chief Executive Officer. Shri Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge of the post, bringing with him nearly four decades of experience across state and central administration.
The Appointment
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared Jain’s elevation through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). His tenure will run until the end of his approved service extension and thereafter for an overall period of two years or until further orders, whichever comes first — on the same terms and conditions that applied to his predecessor.
Jain succeeds Nidhi Chibber, who had been holding additional charge of the post following B.V.R. Subrahmanyam’s exit from the organisation.
A Career Spanning Nearly Four Decades
Born in Gwalior in 1965, Jain has held some of the most consequential postings available to an IAS officer of his seniority. His record includes stints as:
Chief Secretary, Madhya Pradesh — a post he assumed on October 3, 2024, and held until his recent move to NITI Aayog. Following his superannuation in 2025, he had been granted a one-year service extension, originally set to run through August 31, 2026.
Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
With Jain’s departure from Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh government has appointed Ashok Barnwal, a 1991-batch IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary, as officiating Chief Secretary.
Context: Leadership at India’s Apex Policy Body
Jain’s appointment follows a series of leadership changes at NITI Aayog through 2026, including the naming of economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice-Chairperson in April, succeeding Suman K. Bery.
As CEO, Jain will be responsible for coordinating between ministries, state governments and other stakeholders on India’s development agenda — spanning infrastructure, economic reform, and long-term policy planning under the government’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
Editorial Note
NITI Aayog’s continuity of leadership through senior IAS appointments underscores the institution’s role as the Union government’s principal think tank for cooperative federalism. For Madhya Pradesh, the transition marks the close of a significant chapter, with Jain’s decades of state and central experience now directed toward national policy coordination.
