IRS Officer Nalina Sofia T Appointed as Director in NITI Aayog; To Serve a Five-Year Term Under Central Staffing Scheme
In a significant administrative development, Ms. Nalina Sofia T, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) from the 2010 batch, has been appointed as Director in NITI Aayog, New Delhi. Her appointment has been made under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) for a tenure of five years from the date she assumes charge of the post or until further orders are issued — whichever occurs earlier.
The appointment follows a recommendation made by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and has been approved through the established process overseen by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The order directs that Ms. Nalina Sofia T be relieved from her current responsibilities immediately, enabling her to take up her new role at NITI Aayog without delay.
As part of the standard administrative protocol, the DoPT has reiterated the guidelines issued under Circular No. 3/4/2004-EO(MM-I) dated 17 August 2005, which require that any officer appointed under the Central Staffing Scheme must join the new post within three weeks from the date of issue of the appointment order. Failure to comply with this timeline could result in initiation of debarment proceedings from the Central Staffing Scheme.
Ms. Nalina Sofia T’s selection as Director at NITI Aayog underscores the government’s emphasis on inducting capable officers from various central services into its top policy think tank. Her expertise in customs administration, indirect taxation, and economic policy formulation is expected to contribute meaningfully to the Aayog’s ongoing work on strategic policy planning, fiscal reforms, and sustainable development initiatives.
At NITI Aayog, she will work under the supervision of senior members and advisors, assisting in the design and execution of policies that align with India’s long-term national objectives, including economic transformation, digital governance, and inclusive growth.
This appointment is part of the central government’s broader objective of fostering inter-departmental collaboration and cross-functional expertise by placing experienced officers from diverse backgrounds in key policy-making roles within premier institutions like NITI Aayog.
