Anurag Jain Appointed New CEO of NITI Aayog: Policy Implementation for 'Viksit Bharat@2047' to Get New Direction
The Central Government has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the new CEO of NITI Aayog; the appointment will be effective for a maximum of two years or until further orders. Anurag Jain possesses nearly four decades of experience in governance, industrial policy, infrastructure development, and public administration. Several significant changes have been made to NITI Aayog's leadership in 2026 to strengthen its institutional capacity and policy implementation. In this context, NITI Aayog released the first 'Investment Friendliness Index 2026,' with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu emerging as the top three states.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) of the Central Government has appointed Anurag Jain, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog. This appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge and will remain valid for a maximum period of two years or until further orders.
Anurag Jain's Administrative Experience
Anurag Jain has nearly four decades of experience spanning governance, industrial policy, infrastructure development, investment promotion, and public administration. Having served in various key positions within both state and central governments, he has fostered policy reforms and administrative efficiency, making him a suitable choice for leading NITI Aayog.
Significance of NITI Aayog and the Role of the CEO
NITI Aayog is the Government of India's premier public policy think-tank, established on January 1, 2015, to replace the Planning Commission. The CEO plays a pivotal role in implementing the Commission's decisions, facilitating Centre-State coordination, conducting policy research, and effectively managing monitoring and reform programs.
Recent Leadership Changes at NITI Aayog
Several significant changes have taken place in NITI Aayog's leadership in 2026. Ashok Kumar Lahiri has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairman, while Rajiv Gauba, Prof. K. ... V. Raju, Prof. Gobardhan Das, M. Srinivas, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar have been appointed as full-time members. The objective of these appointments is to strengthen the Commission's institutional capacity and expertise.
Investment Friendliness Index 2026
NITI Aayog released the Investment Friendliness Index 2026 for the first time, aiming to conduct a comparative assessment of the investment-friendly environment across states. This index is based on 84 indicators and 8 key pillars—such as policy and governance, infrastructure, ease of doing business, financial management, institutional support, and regulatory frameworks. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the top three states in this index.
UPSC Prelims & Mains Facts
NITI Aayog was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
Chairperson: Prime Minister of India.
Vice-Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister.
CEO: Appointed by the Central Government; leads the Commission's administration and policy implementation.
NITI Aayog promotes cooperative and competitive federalism and plays a pivotal role in areas such as Viksit Bharat@2047, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovation, investment, and the performance assessment of states.
