1989-batch IAS officer Anurag Jain appointed NITI Aayog CEO

The central government has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog, the government's premier policy think tank. The appointment order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on Tuesday, marking a key administrative reshuffle at the top echelons of the policy-making body.

Anurag Jain, who is currently serving as Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), will take over the role from outgoing CEO Amitabh Kant. Kant, a 1980-batch IAS officer, has led NITI Aayog since 2016 and his tenure saw the launch of several flagship initiatives including the Aspirational Districts Programme and the National Health Stack.

The appointment comes at a time when NITI Aayog is increasingly focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driving the government's agenda for cooperative federalism. Jain's experience in industrial policy and ease of doing business at DPIIT is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the think tank's work on economic reforms and state-level development.

Jain, a postgraduate in economics from the University of Delhi, has held several key positions in the central and state governments. He served as Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and later as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal. His tenure at DPIIT saw the simplification of compliance norms and the launch of the National Single Window System for investors.

As CEO of NITI Aayog, Jain will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, coordinating with state governments, and steering the formulation of medium-term and long-term strategic policy documents. He will also work closely with the Prime Minister's Office and other ministries to align policy initiatives with the government's vision for a self-reliant India.

The appointment is seen as part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle aimed at injecting new energy into the policy think tank ahead of the upcoming full budget and the government's focus on post-pandemic economic recovery. Industry bodies have welcomed the move, citing Jain's track record in promoting investment and ease of doing business.