Anurag Jain is a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He assumed office as the 35th Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh on 1 October 2024, succeeding his predecessor upon retirement. He is currently the senior-most IAS officer in the state cadre.
Education & Background
Born in Gwalior on 11 August 1965, Anurag Jain holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, where he graduated second in his class. He also earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in the United States. Apart from his academic credentials, he has represented Madhya Pradesh in cricket and has won national-level tennis medals.
Career and Appointments
Anurag Jain has held a wide range of roles at both the state and central levels:
- Started his administrative career as Assistant Collector in Sagar, followed by postings as District Collector in Mandla, Mandsaur, and Bhopal.
- Held significant state positions such as Principal Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary in Finance.
- Served on central deputation, including as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Acting Chairman and Managing Director of EXIM Bank.
- Was appointed twice as Secretary to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
- Assumed charge as Chief Secretary on 1 October 2024, with a tenure expected to last until his superannuation in August 2025.
Key Focus Areas & Contributions
- Shortly after taking office, Anurag Jain convened a high-level meeting with IAS officers to establish governance priorities focused on performance, transparency, and digital systems.
- In June 2025, he issued directives to complete pending promotions under the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Promotion Rules, 2025 by 31 July, aiming to resolve nearly a decade of delays.
- He emphasized improving administrative efficiency in matters such as departmental inquiries, pensions, and committee meetings.
- His tenure has also included administrative scrutiny related to implementation of large-scale projects such as the Jal Jeevan Mission. Discussions are underway regarding the possible extension of his tenure beyond retirement age.
Summary
Anurag Jain is an experienced administrator with a distinguished career in governance, finance, and infrastructure policy. As Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, he has prioritized administrative reform, performance tracking, and streamlined service delivery. His leadership reflects a balance of long-term institutional knowledge and a results-oriented governance approach.