Anurag Jain Takes Over as NITI Aayog CEO

Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, took charge as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog on 17 August 2026. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his appointment on 22 July 2026 for a tenure of two years or until further orders.

NITI Aayog and the CEO Post

NITI Aayog is the central government’s policy think tank and was created in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission. The Chief Executive Officer is the senior administrative head of NITI Aayog and works on policy coordination, inter-ministerial consultation, and federal cooperation.

Anurag Jain’s Administrative Background

Anurag Jain succeeded B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, who moved out of the NITI Aayog CEO post after his appointment as Cabinet Secretary. Jain earlier served as Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, with records citing either 30 September 2024 or 3 October 2024 as the date of assumption of office. His central government experience includes leadership roles in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. He is an electrical engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School in the United States.

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet is the Union government body that approves senior appointments in the central administration. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and handles postings to key constitutional, administrative, and policy positions.

Important Facts for Exams

• NITI Aayog was established in 2015 as the successor to the Planning Commission.
• The CEO of NITI Aayog is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• B.V.R. Subrahmanyam became Cabinet Secretary before Anurag Jain took charge as CEO of NITI Aayog.
• Anurag Jain belongs to the 1989 batch of the Indian Administrative Service.

Policy Coordination Role

NITI Aayog works with States and Union Territories on cooperative federalism, policy design, and development strategy. The CEO post is linked with administrative coordination across ministries and state governments.