Anurag Jain Appointed New CEO of NITI Aayog

The Central government has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog, taking charge of India’s premier policy think tank for a tenure of two years.

What does the appointment order say?

According to an order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Jain’s appointment as CEO will take effect from the date he assumes charge and will run until the end of his approved service extension, followed by an overall period of two years or until further orders, whichever comes first. The appointment comes months after his tenure as Madhya Pradesh chief secretary was extended till August 31, 2026.

Who is Anurag Jain?

Jain is a career IAS officer with more than three decades of experience across central and state government roles. In 2024, he was appointed the 35th chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh, the state’s top bureaucratic position. Over his tenure, he has handled significant policy and governance assignments spanning both state administration and central government responsibilities.

What does this mean for NITI Aayog’s leadership?

Jain’s appointment follows another leadership change at NITI Aayog earlier this year, when economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri was named Vice Chairperson in April, succeeding Suman K Bery. In his new role, Jain will be responsible for coordinating with ministries, state governments and stakeholders on India’s development agenda, including infrastructure and policy planning that intersects with sectors such as ports, logistics and trade.