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28 May, 2025
NITI Aayog
Mon 29 Jul, 2024
Context
- 10 States and Union Territories boycotted and did not attend the 9th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Niti Aayog has been accused of promoting “competitive federalism” instead of “cooperative federalism” among states.
NITI Aayog
- NITI Aayog was formed on 1 January 2015 replacing the "Planning Commission" on the principle of "Maximum Governance, Minimum Government".
- Nature: NITI Aayog was envisaged as the government's think tank and advisory body.
- Objective: To build strong states that will help make India a dynamic and strong nation.
NITI Aayog's creation has two hubs: -
- Team India Hub: It leads the partnership of Indian states with the central government.
- The Knowledge and Innovation Hub: This institute builds think tank capabilities.
- Guiding Principles of the Commission: Inclusion, People's Participation and Sustainability
Composition of the Commission:
Chairman: Prime Minister
- CEO of NITI Aayog: B. V. R. Subrahmanyam
- Vice Chairman: Appointed by the Prime Minister. (Current Vice Chairman: Suman Beri)
- Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all states and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories
- Ad-hoc Membership: Two members in ex-officio capacity from leading research institutions on a rotational basis
- Ex-officio Membership: Maximum four members from the Union Council of Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.
- Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
- Special Invitee Member: Expert nominated by the Prime Minister who has expertise in the field
Indices and Initiatives of Niti Aayog:
- SDG India Index
- Composite Water Management Index
- Atal Innovation Mission
- SATH programme
- Aspirational District Programme
- School Education Quality Index
- District Hospital Index
- Composite Health Index
- Digital Transformation Index
- Agriculture Marketing and Farmer Friendly reform Index
- India Innovation Index
- Women Entrepreneurship Platform
- Good Governance Index
| Planning Commission | NITI Aayog |
| Formed by executive resolution of the government – neither a statutory nor a constitutional body. | Formed by an executive resolution of the government – neither a statutory or constitutional body |
| It focused on a 'top-down' approach to planning. | It focuses on a 'bottom-up' approach to planning |
| The ministries and state governments had the power to allocate funds. | To be an advisory body or a think-tank, NITI does not have the power to allocate funds. |
| The final commission had eight full-time members. | The number of full-time members may be less than the Planning Commission. |
| The role of the states was limited to annual participation in the National Development Council and during the annual meetings. | State governments are expected to play a more important role than the Planning Commission. |
| The secretary or member secretary was appointed through the normal process. | Secretaries are known as CEOs and are to be appointed by the Prime Minister. |
| There was no provision for part-time members in the full Planning Commission. | To have several part-time members depending on the need from time to time. |
| The commission reported to the National Development Council, Which was consisted of the chief minister and lieutenant governor of the state. | The Governing Council consists of the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor of the state. |
| There was a deputy chairperson, a member secretary and full-time members. | There are also five full-time members and two part-time members, with new positions of Secretary, and Vice-Chairman. Four Cabinet Ministers serve as ex-officio members. |
| The commission used to form policies and consulted the states about the allocation of funds. | To consult the states while making policy and deciding on the allocation of funds. The final policy will be the result of that. |
| The policies were applied to the states and the allocation of funds corresponded with the approved projects. | NITI Aayog is a think-tank and does not have the power to implement policies. |