New Delhi: The race to appoint the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog has gathered momentum, with senior bureaucrats and policy circles closely watching the Centre’s next move. According to sources, three Secretary-rank officers are under consideration for the coveted position, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Anurag Jain (Retd IAS:1989:MP) emerging as the leading contender.
The position has remained without a full-time incumbent since B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (Retd IAS:1987:CG)completed his tenure as CEO on February 24, 2026. Since then, Nidhi Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG), currently serving as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), has been holding the additional charge of CEO.
A decision on the appointment is expected soon as the government looks to provide permanent leadership to its apex public policy think tank at a time when India is focusing on long-term economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and the vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Leadership Vacuum After BVR Subrahmanyam’s Exit
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam served as CEO of NITI Aayog from February 2023 to February 2026. He had received a one-year extension in 2025 before completing his tenure earlier this year.
Since his departure, NITI Aayog’s top executive responsibilities have been managed by Nidhi Chhibber in an additional capacity. However, bureaucratic circles indicate that the Centre is now keen on appointing a full-time CEO to drive policy implementation and strengthen coordination between the Union Government and states.
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Anurag Jain Emerges as Strongest Contender
Among the names under discussion, Anurag Jain is widely seen as the frontrunner owing to his extensive experience in both state and central administration.
Currently serving as the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Jain is a 1989-batch IAS officer known for his technology-driven governance model, infrastructure planning expertise, and experience in implementing large-scale national initiatives.
Educational Background
Born on August 11, 1965, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, IAS Jain has an impressive academic profile:
- B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur
- Secured second rank in his graduating batch
- Master’s degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University, USA
- MicroMasters in Development Economics from MIT
Apart from academics, Jain is also an accomplished tennis player and has reportedly won multiple national-level accolades.
Distinguished Career Across State and Centre
Early Administrative Career
Mr Jain began his IAS career as Assistant Collector in Sagar district in 1990 and subsequently served as District Collector in:
- Mandla
- Mandsaur
- Bhopal
As Bhopal Collector, he is credited with pioneering digitisation initiatives in land records administration.
Key Roles in Madhya Pradesh
Over the years, Jain served twice as Secretary to former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. During this period, he played an important role in strengthening the state’s IT ecosystem and attracting major corporate investments.
He later headed the state’s Finance Department as Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Finance).
Central Government Assignments
Mr Jain’s central deputation career has been equally significant.
Key assignments include:
- Joint Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
- Key architect in 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 particularly known for driving the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure integration projects.
Extension as Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary
In October 2024, Jain was appointed Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh after being recalled from central deputation.
Although scheduled to retire in August 2025, the Government of India granted him a one-year extension, allowing him to continue in office until August 2026.
His administrative experience spanning infrastructure, finance, logistics, economic planning, and governance reforms is believed to be a major factor behind his emergence as a top contender for the NITI Aayog CEO post.
Nidhi Chhibber Continues to Hold Additional Charge
While Mr Jain is considered a strong candidate, Ms Chhibber (IAS:1994:CG) remains a significant 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 possesses 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 role at DMEO has focused on data-driven monitoring and evaluation of flagship government schemes.
Legacy of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
The outgoing CEO, Mr Subrahmanyam, leaves behind a formidable legacy.
A 1987-batch IAS officer, he served in several high-profile 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 marked by efforts to strengthen cooperative federalism, economic reforms, and policy coordination between the Centre and states.
Appointment Expected Soon
With India pursuing ambitious development goals under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the appointment of a full-time CEO at NITI Aayog is being viewed as strategically important.
Sources indicate that the government may take a decision shortly, with Anurag Jain currently enjoying a perceptible edge because of his experience in infrastructure planning, economic administration, public policy, and implementation of major national programmes.
Until a final decision is announced, Nidhi Chhibber will continue to oversee the responsibilities of the office in addition to her existing assignments.
