In a significant administrative reshuffle, Nidhi Chhibber, a seasoned IAS officer from the 1994 Chhattisgarh cadre, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at NITI Aayog. This move comes immediately after the completion of BVR Subrahmanyam’s three-year tenure on Tuesday.
Chhibber currently serves as the Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) within NITI Aayog. In her role, she oversees the monitoring and evaluation of several key central government schemes, assessing their performance and impact. Her expertise in this area positions her well to steer the premier policy think tank during this transitional phase.
A postgraduate in History and a law graduate (LLB), Chhibber brings a wealth of experience to the table. She previously headed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as its Chairperson, where she spearheaded major reforms and oversaw examination processes. Her command over both English and Hindi enhances her effectiveness in policy communication.
BVR Subrahmanyam, the outgoing CEO, leaves behind a legacy of over three decades in public service. A 1987-batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, he held pivotal positions in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. His career highlights include stints at the World Bank, Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and roles in the Prime Minister’s Office.
As Chief Secretary in Jammu & Kashmir and Principal Secretary in Chhattisgarh, Subrahmanyam played crucial roles in governance. At NITI Aayog, he championed policy reforms, focusing on state-level governance, digital transformation, and the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ – India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047.
NITI Aayog, established on January 1, 2015, replaced the Planning Commission to promote ‘cooperative federalism.’ It fosters bottom-up development approaches and integrates state governments into national policy-making. Chhibber’s leadership will be pivotal in advancing these objectives amid evolving economic challenges.