Anurag Jain takes charge as NITI Aayog CEO, brings 4 decades of experience
Synopsis
A seasoned IAS officer with stints at DPIIT and the Road Transport Ministry now heads NITI Aayog. Anurag Jain's appointment, alongside Ashok Kumar Lahiri's elevation as Vice Chairperson, marks the most significant leadership overhaul at India's premier policy think tank in recent years — arriving at a moment when the Aayog's role in Centre-state coordination is under sharper focus than ever.
Key Takeaways
Anurag Jain , a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre , took charge as NITI Aayog CEO on 17 August .
His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) via a DoPT order.
Jain previously served as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh , Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways , and Secretary in DPIIT .
His tenure is for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri was earlier appointed Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman K Bery .
Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, formally took charge as the new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog on Monday, 17 August, stepping into one of the most consequential policy roles in the Union government. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Who Is Anurag Jain
Jain carries nearly four decades of experience across public administration, governance, and policymaking — spanning both state and central government roles. He has previously served as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, the highest administrative position in the state. At the Centre, he held the post of Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and also served as Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) — a portfolio central to India's industrial and investment policy architecture.
NITI Aayog's Welcome
'NITI Aayog welcomes Anurag Jain as the new Chief Executive Officer,' the think tank said in a post on social media platform X. His appointment was widely anticipated given his track record in infrastructure and economic development, sectors that align closely with the Aayog's current policy priorities.
Terms of Appointment
Jain's tenure is fixed at two years, or until further orders — whichever is earlier — under the same terms and conditions that governed his predecessor. As CEO, he will be responsible for supporting the government's development agenda and strengthening coordination between the Centre and states, a function that has grown in importance as the Aayog deepens its role in competitive federalism and aspirational district programmes.
Recent Leadership Changes at NITI Aayog
This appointment is part of a broader leadership refresh at the think tank. Earlier this year, the Centre appointed economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri as Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman K Bery. Together, the two appointments signal a recalibration of the Aayog's senior leadership ahead of what is expected to be a policy-intensive period tied to India's mid-decade development targets.
With Jain's background in road infrastructure and industrial promotion now brought to bear on the Aayog's work, observers will watch closely whether his tenure accelerates the translation of policy frameworks into on-ground implementation — an area where the think tank has faced persistent scrutiny.
Point of View
Industrial policy, state administration — tells you something about what the government wants NITI Aayog to prioritise: execution, not just ideation. The Aayog has long been criticised for producing well-researched documents that struggle to move policy levers at the state level. Whether a career administrator with Jain's on-ground credentials can bridge that gap is the real question. Paired with Lahiri's economics background in the Vice Chair role, the new leadership duo looks calibrated for a phase where the Aayog needs to be both analytically credible and operationally relevant — a balance its recent tenures have found elusive.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new CEO of NITI Aayog?
Anurag Jain , a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre , is the new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. He took charge on 17 August after his appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
What is Anurag Jain's background and experience?
Jain has nearly four decades of experience in public administration. He has served as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh , Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways , and Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) .
How long is Anurag Jain's tenure as NITI Aayog CEO?
His tenure is for two years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, under the same terms that applied to his predecessor.
Who is the current Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog?
Economist Ashok Kumar Lahiri is the current Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, appointed earlier in April this year. He replaced Suman K Bery in the role.
What is the role of the NITI Aayog CEO?
The CEO of NITI Aayog oversees the day-to-day functioning of the government's premier policy think tank. The role involves supporting the Union government's development priorities and coordinating policy implementation between the Centre and state governments.
