The Planning Commission has been followed by the NITI Aayog, which has been in existence for 65 years. The Planning Commission’s utility and significance have long been questioned. The replacement appears to be more pertinent to the country’s present economic demands and scenario.
The NITI Aayog is a crucial topic for the UPSC civil services examination. It is a significant organisation that will undoubtedly play an important part in the country’s development. Also, the government of India recently made appointments to top posts in central departments including NITI Aayog and the National investigation agency (NIA), which makes it important for government aspirants to know about them.
On that note, let’s learn about the evolution, objectives, composition, and Achievements of NITI Aayog in detail that can be asked in both UPSC prelims and mains exams.
NITI Aayog Evolution
The NITI Aayog was created on January 1, 2015. It is the country’s primary policy-making body, and its primary goal is to stimulate economic growth. It seeks to establish a strong state that will contribute to the growth of a lively and robust nation. This facilitated India’s ascension to global economic power status. The NITI Aayog is divided into two sections: “Team India Hub” and “Knowledge and Innovation Hub.”
Team India Hub: It leads to the engagement of Indian states with the central government in Team India.
The Knowledge and Innovation Hub: it strengthens the think tank capabilities of the institution.
The NITI Aayog was established because people expected to see progress and improvement in the administration through their participation. This necessitated administrative structural adjustments as well as active strategy alterations that might seed and support large-scale transformation.
Objectives of NITI Aayog
- Active participation of states in light of national objectives and the establishment of a framework ‘national agenda’
- To promote continuous cooperative federalism through well-organized support programmes and processes with the states.
- To develop ways for developing a reliable plan at the village level and subsequently aggregating them at higher levels of government.
- To propose strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, as well as to monitor and evaluate their progress and success.
- To provide guidance and foster collaboration between key stakeholders and national and international think tanks, as well as educational and policy research organisations.
- To develop knowledge, creativity, and a support system for entrepreneurs through a common network of national and international professionals, etc.
- To maintain a cutting-edge Resource Centre, to serve as a repository for research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development, and to assist in their dissemination to participants.
- To properly screen and assess programme and initiative implementation, including the identification of required resources to increase the likelihood of success.
- To prioritise technology advancement and capacity building in order to carry out plans and objectives.
NITI Aayog Composition
The NITI Aayog will be made up of the following individuals:
- The Prime Minister of India (Chairperson)
- The Governing Council is made up of the Chief Ministers of all Indian states and the Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories.
- Regional Councils will be established to handle specific challenges and opportunities that touch more than one state. These will be generated for a certain time period. It will be called by the Prime Minister. It will be made up of state chief ministers and lieutenant governors of union territories. These will be presided over by the NITI Aayog’s Chairperson or his nominee.
- Eminent professionals and specialists with significant domain knowledge will be nominated by the Prime Minister as special invitees.
- The full-time organisational framework will include, in addition to the Prime Minister as Chairperson:
- Vice-Chairperson (appointed by the Prime Minister)
- Members:
- Full-time
- Part-time members: Maximum of two ex-officio members from prestigious universities, premier research institutions, and other cutting-edge organisations. Part-time employees will be assigned on a rotating basis.
- Ex Officio members: The Prime Minister may appoint up to four members to the Council of Ministers.
- Chief Executive Officer: The Prime Minister will appoint the CEO for a definite term. He will be appointed as Secretary to the Government of India.
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