New Delhi – The Indian government has appointed Anurag Jain, a distinguished 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog. His tenure is set for two years, commencing from the date he assumes charge. Jain succeeds interim CEO Nidhi Chhibber, who held the additional responsibility after the previous CEO, BVR Subrahmanyam, concluded his extended term earlier this year.
A Career Defined by Impactful Policy Implementation
Born in Gwalior in 1965, Jain is an electrical engineering graduate from IIT Kharagpur (1986) and holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University, USA. With nearly four decades of administrative experience spanning industrial policy, infrastructure development, logistics, and finance, he is considered one of the government's most seasoned implementation-focused bureaucrats.
Before his central deputation to NITI Aayog, Jain served as the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, a position he took in October 2024. His move to the Centre necessitated the appointment of Ashok Barnwal as the officiating Chief Secretary for Madhya Pradesh.
Key Contributions to National Development
Anurag Jain has been instrumental in several significant economic policymaking assignments for the Union government:
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): As Secretary between September 2021 and April 2023, he spearheaded the implementation of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, a GIS-based digital platform integrating infrastructure planning across ministries. This initiative earned the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2023. During this period, he also oversaw the rollout of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, Startup India, the National Logistics Policy, and critical reforms in industrial corridors and FDI policy.
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): As Secretary, he supervised the significant expansion of India's national highway network and promoted initiatives for multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency.
- Department of Financial Services: Earlier in his career, Jain is credited with conceptualizing and implementing the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which grew to become the world's largest financial inclusion program.
- Prime Minister's Office (PMO): From 2011 to 2015, he served as Joint Secretary, contributing to various key governance and policy initiatives.
Beyond Economic Ministries
Jain’s experience extends beyond core economic portfolios. He served as Vice Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), managing urban planning and housing projects. In Madhya Pradesh, he was Secretary to then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for over five years, playing a crucial role in drafting the pioneering Madhya Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act. His early career included stints as Collector in Mandla, Mandsaur, and Bhopal, providing extensive field-level administrative insight.
NITI Aayog's Evolving Role
Jain’s appointment comes at a pivotal time when NITI Aayog is poised to take on a more expanded role in coordinating infrastructure planning, manufacturing policy, logistics reforms, and fostering Centre-State cooperation. His extensive experience across diverse sectors—from financial inclusion and industrial policy to urban development and state administration—underscores the government's continued emphasis on implementation-driven governance as NITI Aayog shapes public policy over the next two years.