Q.2. Write the role of NITI Aayog in the development of India.

The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission. It serves as the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, promoting a ‘bottom-up’ approach to development.

Role in India’s Development

• Cooperative Federalism: It actively fosters state participation through its Governing Council, which includes all Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors. This promotes a spirit of ‘Team India’.
• Policy Formulation: It designs long-term strategic frameworks (15-year Vision, 7-year Strategy, 3-year Action Agenda) and provides policy inputs on various sectors, from agriculture (e.g., model land leasing act) to digital economy.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: NITI Aayog monitors the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and tracks national development goals. It publishes key indices that rank states on performance, creating competitive federalism.
  • Examples: SDG India Index, State Health Index, Composite Water Management Index, and the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
• Innovation and Knowledge Hub: It acts as a hub for innovation through initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), and Atal Incubation Centres, fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Advisory Role: It provides strategic and technical advice to the Centre and States on request, acting as an internal consultant.

Conclusion

NITI Aayog plays a pivotal, non-financial role by shifting from centralized planning to a cooperative and competitive framework. It acts as a catalyst, knowledge partner, and performance monitor to accelerate India’s development journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’.