Senior IAS Officer Anurag Jain Appointed CEO of NITI Aayog for Two-Year Term

New Delhi, July 2026 : The Union Government on Wednesday appointed senior IAS officer Anurag Jain as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, entrusting the 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with leading the country’s premier public policy think tank for a two-year term.

The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Jain, a Madhya Pradesh cadre officer, will assume charge with immediate effect and continue as CEO for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The government said the terms and conditions of his appointment will remain the same as those applicable to his predecessor.

A seasoned administrator with nearly four decades of experience, Jain has held several important assignments at both the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government. Over the years, he has played a significant role in areas such as infrastructure development, industrial policy, investment promotion, urban development and governance reforms. His extensive administrative background is expected to strengthen NITI Aayog’s role in driving policy innovation and implementation.

As CEO, Jain will oversee the day-to-day functioning of NITI Aayog, which serves as the government’s apex policy institution responsible for formulating long-term development strategies and supporting evidence-based policymaking. He will also coordinate closely with Union ministries and state governments to advance key national priorities, promote cooperative and competitive federalism, and ensure effective implementation of flagship programmes.

His appointment comes at a crucial time as NITI Aayog continues to play a central role in shaping India’s development roadmap under the Viksit Bharat vision. The institution has been instrumental in recommending reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth, enhancing innovation, improving governance, expanding digital transformation and strengthening public service delivery across sectors.

Jain is expected to provide continuity to the institution’s policy initiatives while bringing his administrative expertise to address emerging challenges in infrastructure, manufacturing, investment and economic development. His experience in executing large-scale government programmes is likely to support NITI Aayog’s efforts to improve coordination between the Centre and states and ensure timely implementation of reform initiatives.

The new CEO also takes charge at a time when NITI Aayog’s high-powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee has begun work on identifying actionable recommendations to improve employability, promote entrepreneurship, strengthen industry-oriented skill development and accelerate growth in the services sector. The committee’s recommendations are expected to contribute significantly to job creation and India’s long-term economic competitiveness.

With Anurag Jain at the helm, NITI Aayog is expected to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping policy reforms and supporting India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.

Team Maverick.