Anurag Jain Takes Charge as NITI Aayog CEO
Polity & Governance · Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Senior IAS officer Anurag Jain (1989-batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre) officially took charge as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. His appointment followed approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Quick highlights
- Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as CEO of NITI Aayog.
- The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- NITI Aayog is the Government of India's apex public policy think tank, which replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission in 2015.
- The Prime Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
Context
Senior IAS officer Anurag Jain (1989-batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre) officially took charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog following approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Key Facts
Anurag Jain belongs to the 1989 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, Madhya Pradesh cadre. Appointments to the post of NITI Aayog CEO require clearance from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission, with the Prime Minister as its ex-officio Chairperson.
Significance
The CEO heads the administrative machinery of NITI Aayog, India's premier policy think tank that promotes cooperative and competitive federalism, prepares strategic and long-term policy frameworks, and monitors implementation across states.
Challenges / Way Forward
The new CEO will steer NITI Aayog's ongoing policy, monitoring and evaluation agenda, coordinating between the Centre and states on development priorities.
Exam Angle
GS Paper II — Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial/executive bodies; appointments to key institutions. Prelims: NITI Aayog structure (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, CEO), establishment year 2015, role of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Remember this
- New NITI Aayog CEO: Anurag Jain, IAS (1989 batch, Madhya Pradesh cadre).
- Appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- NITI Aayog was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
- The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
- NITI = National Institution for Transforming India; it is an executive (non-statutory) body.