On January 1, 2015, the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established as the successor to the planning commission.
Neither Constitutional nor statutory body.
Premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs.
Provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.
Adopt ‘bottom-up’ approach rather than a ‘top down’ model.
Functions of NITI Aayog
More of expert body than bureaucratic body.
Prime focus on Policy making rather than fund allocation.
Knowledge repository of best practices.
Boost spirit of Cooperative federalism.
Coordination and facilitation to various ministries.
Objectives
Provide National agenda for development.
Roadmap for development.
Policy advice.
Long term policy making.
Cooperative and Competitive federalism.
Upliftment of poorer strata.
Assessment of government schemes.
Long term planning. (Vision Document).
Development of quantifiable goals and deliverables.
Repository of best practices.
Platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues in order to accelerate
the implementation of the development agenda.
Composition
Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India.
Governing Council: It comprises the Chief Ministers of all the States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislatures (i.e., Delhi and Puducherry) and Lt. Governors of other Union Territories.
Vice-Chairperson: He is appointed by the Prime Minister. He enjoys the rank of a Cabinet
Minister.
Members: Full-time. They enjoy the rank of a Minister of State.
Initiatives taken by NITI Aayog
1. Ease of doing business.
2. Health index.3. Education index.4. Model land leasing law
