Q. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the

  • Human Rights Commission
  • Finance Commission
  • Law Commission
  • Planning Commission

Answer: (d) Planning Commission

NITI Aayog:
  • NITI Aayog is a premiere policy think tank of the Government of India. It was established with the aim to achieve sustainable development goals by active involvement of state government in the planning process
    • This premiere policy think tank was established in 2015 via an executive resolution by replacing the Planning Commission of India
  • Features of NITI Aayog:
    • Increased access to and sharing of information
    • Diminished role for centralized planning
    • Governance, across the public and private domains
    • To formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government.
    • Continuing partnership with the states
    • To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think Tanks
    • Platforms for resolution of issues
    • Governance involves everyone
    • Mechanisms to evolve credible plans at the village level, evolve a shared vision
  • Objectives of NITI Aayog
    • To evolve a shared vision for the development of national priorities, strategies, and sectors with the active involvement of the States.
    • To develop mechanisms at the village level to formulate credible plans and to aggregate these mechanisms progressively at the higher levels of government.
    • To foster cooperative federalism with the help of structured support mechanisms and initiatives on a continuous basis with the States, recognizing that strong States help in building a strong nation.
    • To pay special attention to those sections of our society which may be at risk of not being adequately benefitted from the economic progress
    • To ensure that the interests of national security are incorporated into economic policy and strategy.
    • To design strategic, long term policy and program initiatives and frameworks, and monitor their efficacy and progress. The lessons learned through feedback and monitoring will be utilized in making innovative improvements that will include essential mid-course corrections.
    • To provide advice and encourage partnership between key stakeholders and the national and international like-minded think tanks including the educational and research institutions.
    • To offer a platform for resolving inter-sectoral and inter­-departmental issues to stimulate development performance.
    • To develop innovation, knowledge, and entrepreneurial support system through a national and international expert’s collaborative community, practitioners, and other partners.
    • To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, and to be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in equitable and sustainable development along with helping the stake-holders with their dissemination.
    • To actively evaluate and monitor the implementation of initiatives and programs that comprises identification of the resources needed to strengthen the success probability and scope of delivery.
    • To focus on capacity building and technology up-gradation for implementing programs and initiatives.
    • To undertake such other activities as may be necessary to execute further the agenda of the national development, and the objectives mentioned above.
Structure of NITI Aayog:
  • The National Institution for Transforming India Aayog (NITI Aayog) has a well-defined structure, involving various stakeholders and specialized hubs. The structure includes
    • Chairperson:
      • The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairperson of NITI Aayog, providing leadership and direction to the institution.
    • Governing Council:
      • The Governing Council includes Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, along with Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and special invitees. This structure resembles the erstwhile National Development Council (NDC), which is no longer in operation.
    • Organizational Framework:
      • The full-time organizational framework of NITI Aayog includes:
        • Vice-Chairperson: Assists in the overall functioning of NITI Aayog.
        • Members (Full-time): Engaged in the day-to-day operations and decision-making.
        • Part-time Members (Rotational): Up to two members from leading universities, research organizations, and relevant institutions, serving in an ex-officio capacity.
        • Ex Officio Members: Up to four members of the Union Council of Ministers, nominated by the Prime Minister.
        • Special Invitees (Union Council of Ministers): Additional members appointed by invitation.
        • Regional Councils: Formed for specific tenures to address issues impacting more than one state or region. Chaired by the Chairperson of NITI Aayog or a nominee, comprising Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors of the respective region.
        • Experts and Specialists: Special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister based on their domain knowledge.
        • Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure.
    • Hubs:
      • Two core hubs form the basis of NITI Aayog’s creation:
        • Team India Hub: Leads the engagement of states with the Central government, fostering collaboration and coordination.
        • Knowledge and Innovation Hub: Focuses on building NITI Aayog’s think tank capabilities, emphasizing research, innovation, and knowledge generation.
  • The creation of regional councils, the inclusion of experts, and the establishment of hubs highlight NITI Aayog’s emphasis on collaboration, inclusivity, and the integration of diverse perspectives in its policy-making and advisory roles. The institution is designed to adapt to the changing economic and developmental landscape of India, aligning with the principles of federalism and promoting a more dynamic approach to planning.