Q.Write a note on NITI Aayog.

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) replaced the Planning Commission in 2015. It is an advisory think-tank that promotes cooperative federalism, frames long-term vision and strategy, fosters bottom-up planning and monitors schemes, but leaves fund allocation to the Finance Ministry.

Establishment

NITI Aayog was set up on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission (1950) to suit a changed, market-oriented economy.

Composition

The Prime Minister is the Chairperson; there is a Vice-Chairperson, a Governing Council of all Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors, a CEO, full-time and part-time members and special invitees.

Main functions

1. Act as the chief think-tank and advisor to government.
2. Promote cooperative and competitive federalism by involving the States.
3. Encourage bottom-up (participative) planning instead of top-down plans.
4. Frame long-term national vision and strategy documents.
5. Monitor and evaluate programmes and promote good governance and innovation. …