NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026: Apply for Senior Lead, Specialist & Associate Posts Under Flexi Pool
The NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially released by the Government of India – National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), inviting applications for various high-level professional positions under the Flexi Pool system. This recruitment drive offers an excellent opportunity for experienced professionals from the government, private sector, consultancy organizations, and international bodies to work with India’s premier policy think tank.
The recruitment will be done on Deputation (including short-term contract – ISTC) and Contract Basis for posts such as Senior Lead, Senior Specialist, Specialist, Senior Associate, and Associate across multiple important policy domains.
This article covers complete details about vacancies, eligibility, salary, application process, and selection procedure for NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026.
About NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the apex policy think tank of the Government of India. It plays a crucial role in shaping India’s development agenda by promoting innovation, research, and cooperative federalism. Working with NITI Aayog provides professionals a chance to directly contribute to national policy making in critical sectors like infrastructure, economy, education, technology, governance, and environment.
NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026 – Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | NITI Aayog, Government of India |
| Recruitment Type | Flexi Pool (Deputation/Contract) |
| Total Vacancies | 31 Posts |
| Job Location | New Delhi |
| Posts Offered | Senior Lead, Senior Specialist, Specialist, Senior Associate, Associate |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 60 days from publication in Employment News |
| Official Website | https://niti.gov.in/work-niti/opportunities |
Vacancy Details
1. Senior Lead / Lead – 04 Posts
Areas of Posting
- Data Analytics
- Law & Policy
- Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Governance & Reforms / Vision
Pay Level (Deputation)
Level 15 / Level 14
Contract Salary
- Senior Lead – ₹3,30,000 per month
- Lead – ₹2,65,000 per month
2. Senior Specialist / Specialist – 16 Posts
Functional Areas
- Finance / Tax Policy
- Data Analytics
- School Education
- Economic Intelligence
- IT & Telecom
- Governance & Reforms
- Green Transition, Energy, Environment & Climate Change
- Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Public Finance & Policy Analysis
- Rural Development
- Research & Networking
- Tourism
- Water & Land
- WCD & Nutrition
- ADP / ABP
- Economics Modelling & Scenario Building
Pay Level (Deputation)
Level 13 / Level 12
Contract Salary
- Senior Specialist – ₹2,20,000 per month
- Specialist – ₹1,45,000 per month
3. Senior Associate / Associate – 11 Posts
Areas of Posting
- School Education
- Economic Intelligence
- Governance & Reforms
- Public Finance & Policy Analysis
- State Finance
- Tourism
- Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
- SDGs
- North East Development
- Science & Technology
- Agriculture Policy
Pay Level (Deputation)
Level 11 / Level 10
Contract Salary
- Senior Associate – ₹1,25,000 per month
- Associate – ₹1,05,000 per month
Eligibility Criteria
For Deputation (ISTC)
Eligible officers working in:
- Central Government
- State Governments
- Autonomous Bodies
- PSUs
- Research Institutions
Officers should be holding analogous posts or with required experience in relevant fields.
For Contract Basis
Candidates working in:
- Private sector companies
- Consultancy organizations
- International organizations
- Multinational companies
Applicants must have relevant professional experience, domain knowledge, and academic background related to the applied area.
Why Choose NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026?
The NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026 offers a rare opportunity to work at the national policy level with top economists, administrators, and development professionals. The benefits include:
- Attractive monthly salary up to ₹3.30 lakh
- Work on nation-building policies
- Exposure to global policy frameworks
- Opportunity to work with international institutions
- Prestigious Government of India experience
Selection Process
The selection will be done based on:
- Shortlisting of applications
- Evaluation of experience and domain expertise
- Personal interview (online/offline)
- Final approval by NITI Aayog
There is no written examination for these posts.
How to Apply for NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online through NITI Aayog’s official recruitment portal.
Steps to Apply
- Visit:
👉 https://niti.gov.in/work-niti/opportunities - Click on Flexi Pool / Others
- Select the appropriate post
- Fill in personal, academic, and professional details
- Upload documents
- Submit the application form
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Published in Employment News |
| Last Date to Apply | 60 days from publication |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last date.
Documents Required
- Resume / CV
- Educational Certificates
- Experience Certificates
- Government ID
- NOC (for deputation candidates)
Career Growth at NITI Aayog
Selected candidates will be part of India’s top policy think tank. Working in NITI Aayog gives exposure to:
- National and international projects
- Policy formulation and evaluation
- Government reform initiatives
- Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
This experience significantly enhances one’s professional profile.
Final Words
The NITI Aayog Recruitment 2026 is a golden opportunity for professionals who want to work at the highest level of policymaking in India. With high-paying contracts, impactful work, and national importance, these positions are among the most prestigious government roles available today.
Interested candidates should apply without delay and take a step towards contributing to India’s development and reform journey.
