New Delhi: The process to appoint the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog has gained pace, with senior officials and policy observers closely monitoring the Centre’s forthcoming decision. According to sources, three Secretary-rank officers are being considered for the prestigious position, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain (Retd IAS:1989:MP) emerging as the foremost contender.
The post has remained without a full-time occupant since B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (Retd IAS:1987:CG) concluded his tenure as CEO on February 24, 2026. Since that time, Nidhi Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG), presently serving as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), has been handling the additional responsibility of CEO.
A decision on the appointment is anticipated shortly as the government seeks to provide permanent leadership to its premier public policy think tank at a time when India is concentrating on sustained economic growth, infrastructure development, and the aspiration of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Leadership Gap After BVR Subrahmanyam’s Departure
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam served as CEO of NITI Aayog from February 2023 to February 2026. He was granted a one-year extension in 2025 before completing his term earlier this year.
Following his exit, NITI Aayog’s top executive functions have been overseen by Nidhi Chhibber in an additional role. However, administrative circles suggest that the Centre is now eager to appoint a full-time CEO to advance policy execution and enhance coordination between the Union Government and the states.
Anurag Jain Emerges as Leading Candidate
Among the names being discussed, Anurag Jain is broadly regarded as the frontrunner due to his extensive experience across both state and central administration.
Currently serving as the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Jain is a 1989-batch IAS officer recognized for his technology-enabled governance approach, infrastructure planning capabilities, and experience in executing large-scale national programmes.
Educational Background
Born on August 11, 1965, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, IAS Jain possesses a distinguished academic profile:
B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur
Secured second position in his graduating batch
Master’s degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University, USA
MicroMasters in Development Economics from MIT
Beyond academics, Jain is also an accomplished tennis player and is reported to have earned multiple national-level honours.
IAS Anurag Jain
Distinguished Career Across State and Centre
Early Administrative Career
Mr Jain began his IAS career as Assistant Collector in Sagar district in 1990 and later served as District Collector in:
Mandla
Mandsaur
Bhopal
As Bhopal Collector, he is credited with introducing digitisation initiatives in land records management.
Key Roles in Madhya Pradesh
Over the years, Jain served twice as Secretary to former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. During this tenure, he played a significant role in strengthening the state’s IT ecosystem and attracting major private investments.
He subsequently led the state’s Finance Department as Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Finance).
Central Government Assignments
Mr Jain’s tenure on central deputation has been equally noteworthy.
Key assignments include:
Joint Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Key contributor to implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Vice Chairman, Delhi Development Authority (DDA)
Acting Chairman and Managing Director, EXIM Bank
He is especially known for spearheading the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure integration initiatives.
Extension as Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary
In October 2024, Jain was appointed Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh after being brought back from central deputation.
Although originally scheduled to retire in August 2025, the Government of India granted him a one-year extension, enabling him to continue in office until August 2026.
His administrative experience covering infrastructure, finance, logistics, economic planning, and governance reforms is considered a key reason behind his emergence as a leading contender for the NITI Aayog CEO position.
Nidhi Chhibber Continues to Hold Additional Charge
While Mr Jain is viewed as a strong candidate, Ms Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG) remains an important figure in the discussion.
She currently serves as:
Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Director General, DMEO, NITI Aayog
Additional Charge CEO, NITI Aayog
Extensive Policy Experience
A 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, Ms Chhibber brings extensive experience in governance, education, evaluation systems, and public policy.
Her notable assignments include:
Chairperson, CBSE (2022–2024)
Additional Secretary and Adviser, NITI Aayog
Director General, Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office
Various district and state-level administrative positions in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
She holds:
M.A. in History
LL.B.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights
Her work at DMEO has centred on data-driven monitoring and evaluation of flagship government programmes.
Legacy of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
The outgoing CEO, Mr Subrahmanyam, leaves behind a significant legacy.
A 1987-batch IAS officer, he served in several prominent positions including:
Private Secretary to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Senior official in PM Narendra Modi’s PMO
Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Chhattisgarh
Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir
Union Commerce Secretary
Chairman and Managing Director, ITPO
His tenure as NITI Aayog CEO was characterized by efforts to strengthen cooperative federalism, advance economic reforms, and improve policy coordination between the Centre and states.
Appointment Expected Soon
With India pursuing ambitious development objectives under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the appointment of a full-time CEO at NITI Aayog is being regarded as strategically significant.
Sources indicate that the government may reach a decision shortly, with Anurag Jain currently enjoying a noticeable advantage because of his experience in infrastructure planning, economic management, public policy, and implementation of major national initiatives.
Until a final announcement is made, Nidhi Chhibber will continue to manage the responsibilities of the office alongside her existing assignments.