NITI Aayog stands for the National Institution for Transforming India. It replaced the old Planning Commission on 1 January 2015. It works as a policy think tank that advises the government on development. This topic links polity and economy in exams.
From Planning Commission to NITI Aayog
- The Planning Commission was set up in 1950 and prepared the Five Year Plans.
- It was not a constitutional or statutory body.
- NITI Aayog was formed by an executive resolution in 2015.
- Unlike the old body, NITI Aayog does not allocate funds to States.
Structure of NITI Aayog
- Chairperson - the Prime Minister of India.
- Vice-Chairperson - appointed by the Prime Minister.
- Governing Council - includes Chief Ministers of all States and Lieutenant Governors of UTs.
- A CEO looks after day-to-day work.
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Functions of NITI Aayog
- To promote cooperative federalism between the Centre and States.
- To prepare long-term plans and strategies for development.
- To act as a think tank and give expert advice.
- To monitor and evaluate government programmes.
Key Initiatives
NITI Aayog runs many programmes such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, the Atal Innovation Mission and various indices like the SDG India Index. It works on a 'bottom-up' approach instead of a top-down one.
Quick Revision Points
- NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission on 1 January 2015.
- It is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body.
- The Prime Minister is its Chairperson.
- It promotes cooperative federalism.
- It does not allocate funds to States.
- It runs the Aspirational Districts Programme.
- Full form: National Institution for Transforming India.