NITI Aayog: Composition, Objectives, Initiatives, Limitations

Overview

• Established: January 1, 2015
• Nature: Premier policy think tank of the Government of India
• Replaced: Planning Commission
• Focus: Inclusive development, cooperative federalism, sustainable growth

Key Functions

• Policy Formulation: Develops long-term, strategic, and sectoral policies
• Cooperative Federalism: Bridges central and state governments for coordinated policy implementation
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracks scheme implementation and outcomes
• Think Tank: Provides knowledge, innovation, and thought leadership

Composition

• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
• Vice Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister
• Ex-Officio Members: Up to four members from Union Council of Ministers
• Governing Council (Team India): Includes PM, Vice-Chairperson, Chief Ministers, Lt Governors, etc.
• Full-Time Members: Experts in economics, science, and other fields
• Special Invitees and Regional Councils: Address specific regional issues
• Supporting Cells and Departments: Specialized cells for inclusive growth

Objectives

• Promoting Inclusive Development
• Fostering Cooperative Federalism
• Focus on Weaker Sections
• Credible Planning: From village to national level
• Long-term Policy Design and Innovation
• Establishing a State-of-the-Art Resource Centre

Pillars of Operation

• Pro-People Orientation
• Proactivity: Swift response to challenges
• Participation: Public involvement in policymaking
• Empowerment: Focus on women, youth, and marginalized
• Inclusivity and Equality
• Transparency: Open data and reporting

Significance

• Cooperative and Competitive Federalism
• Strategic Policy Formulation: Long-term strategies in various sectors
• SDG Monitoring
• Promoting Innovation
• Capacity Building and Inclusive Growth
• Transparency and Inter-Sectoral Coordination

Comparison: NITI Aayog vs Planning Commission

• Advisory Role vs Authority to Impose
• Bottom-up vs Top-down Approach
• Lack of Fund Allocation vs Fund Allocation Authority
• Focus on Cooperative Federalism vs Limited State Role

Key Initiatives

• Atal Innovation Mission: Fosters innovation and entrepreneurship
• National Data and Analytics Platform
• Aspirational District Programme
• Poshan Abhiyan: Nutritional outcomes improvement
• E-Amrit Portal: Information on electric vehicles
• LiFE: Promotes sustainable living
• SDG Index and Other Indices: Monitoring and evaluation tools

Limitations and Concerns

• Advisory Role: Limited impact without fund allocation
• Structural and Functional Limitations
• Effectiveness Concerns: Politicization risks, lack of accountability

UPSC Related Questions

• Differences between principles of NITI Aayog and Planning Commission
• Understanding of NITI Aayog's role in governance

Latest UPSC Exam Updates (2025)

• Dates and Process: Prelims, Mains, Interview stages
• Results and Toppers: Latest updates provided

FAQs

• Typical questions about NITI Aayog's function, structure, and importance