In a key administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has named Ms. Nidhi Chhibber, a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, as the Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog. With this appointment, she assumes the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India.
Prior to this, Ms. Chhibber was serving as Additional Secretary at NITI Aayog. Her tenure had recently been extended by two months in March 2025, as per orders from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Interestingly, this new role supersedes her earlier appointment as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), which was intended to prepare her to succeed outgoing Secretary Subrata Gupta (IAS: 1990: WB), set to retire on May 31, 2025. That appointment, issued on April 18, has now been officially cancelled.
A Noteworthy Public Service Career
Born on June 24, 1969, in Haryana, Ms. Chhibber holds a Master’s degree in History, an LLB, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights. Her diverse educational qualifications have informed her broad administrative acumen.
Since joining the Indian Administrative Service on September 4, 1994, she has held numerous pivotal roles in both her state cadre and at the Centre. In Chhattisgarh, she served as District Collector of Janjgir-Champa, Secretary in the General Administration Department, and as Chief Electoral Officer.
Central Deputation and Key Postings
Ms. Chhibber’s central deputation journey began in 2017 with her appointment as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. However, due to the Chhattisgarh government’s initial refusal to relieve her, she faced a five-year debarment from central postings—a decision she successfully overturned in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). She later rejoined as Joint Secretary in the same ministry.
She went on to serve as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and, in May 2022, was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Her CBSE appointment faced legal scrutiny over questions regarding her experience in the education sector. The government defended her appointment by citing her 48 months of prior service as Director in the Education Department, fulfilling the necessary qualifications.
In March 2024, she took on the role of Advisor at NITI Aayog, further solidifying her role in national policy-making.
Personal Life and New Responsibilities
Ms. Chhibber is married to Mr. Vikassheel, also a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, who is currently serving as Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank.
As the new Director General of DMEO, Ms. Chhibber is expected to lead critical efforts in data-driven governance and strengthen the evaluation of government schemes and programs. Her wealth of experience and deep policy understanding are likely to make her a key figure in advancing NITI Aayog’s development and reform initiatives.
