Nidhi Chhibber Takes Charge as NITI Aayog CEO After BVR Subrahmanyam’s Term Ends

Nidhi Chhibber has taken additional charge as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog after BVR Subrahmanyam completed his three-year tenure on February 24, 2026. Chhibber, a senior IAS officer and currently Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), steps into the role at an important time for India’s policy think tank. The transition signals a new leadership phase for NITI Aayog in 2026.

Nidhi Chhibber Takes Additional Charge as NITI Aayog CEO

Nidhi Chhibber has officially taken additional charge as the CEO of NITI Aayog. She is currently serving as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), which functions under NITI Aayog.

Key details about her appointment,

• She is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre.
• She previously served as Chairperson of Central Board of Secondary Education.
• At DMEO, she has overseen monitoring and evaluation of flagship government schemes.

Her additional charge as NITI Aayog CEO places her at the centre of India’s policy planning and evaluation framework in 2026.

BVR Subrahmanyam’s Tenure as NITI Aayog CEO Ends

The transition follows the completion of the three-year tenure of BVR Subrahmanyam as CEO of NITI Aayog.

Important highlights of his career,

• 1987-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre
• Served as Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir
• Worked as Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• Held positions in the Prime Minister’s Office
• Had a stint at the World Bank

His tenure at NITI Aayog focused on strengthening policy coordination and reform implementation.

Role of NITI Aayog in India’s Governance

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the government’s premier policy think tank. It was established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission.

Its core functions include,

• Policy formulation and strategic planning
• Cooperative federalism with states
• Monitoring flagship government schemes
• Promoting innovation and sustainable development

With Nidhi Chhibber taking charge as NITI Aayog CEO, continuity in monitoring and evaluation mechanisms is expected to remain a priority in 2026.

What DMEO’s Role Means for NITI Aayog Leadership

The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) plays a crucial role in assessing government programmes. As its Director General, Nidhi Chhibber has been responsible for data-driven evaluation of schemes.

Her experience in,

• Impact assessment
• Data analysis and evidence-based policy
• Education sector reforms (as CBSE Chairperson)

could shape NITI Aayog’s approach towards performance measurement and accountability during her tenure as CEO.

About NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015 to replace the Planning Commission.
• It acts as a think tank of the Government of India and promotes cooperative federalism by involving state governments in economic policy-making.
• The Prime Minister serves as its Chairperson.
• The CEO heads the executive operations of the institution.
• NITI Aayog plays a central role in policy design, monitoring of flagship schemes, and fostering innovation across sectors.

Question

Q. Who has taken additional charge as CEO of NITI Aayog in February 2026?

A) BVR Subrahmanyam
B) Nidhi Chhibber
C) Amitabh Kant
D) Rajiv Kumar