SYLLABUS

GS-2: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

Context: The Government of India has reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing new leadership and full-time members to strengthen its role in policy-making.

More on the News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that NITI Aayog has become a vital pillar of India’s policy-making architecture, promoting cooperative federalism, reforms, and ‘Ease of Living’. 

• Ashok Kumar Lahiri has been appointed as the Vice Chairman. 

• The following have been appointed as Full-Time Members: Rajiv Gauba, K. V. Raju, Gobardhan Das, Abhay Karandikar, and M. Srinivas. 

• The Prime Minister extended best wishes to the newly appointed members for a productive and impactful tenure.

About NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)

• On January 1, 2015, NITI Aayog was established as the successor to the Planning Commission through an executive resolution of the Government of India (Union Cabinet). 

• It is a non-constitutional body (not created by the Constitution) and a non-statutory body (not created by an Act of Parliament). 

Role and Functions of NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog serves as the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. 

• It is responsible for designing strategic and long-term policies and programmes for national development. 

• It also provides technical advice to both the Centre and States. 

• The institution marks a significant shift from the Planning Commission era: 

• The one-way flow of policy from Centre to States is replaced by a genuine partnership between the Centre and States. 
• It adopts a collaborative approach instead of the earlier command-and-control model. 
• In line with the spirit of federalism, it follows a bottom-up approach, incorporating inputs from various stakeholders rather than a top-down model. 

• NITI Aayog also acts as: 

• A platform for cooperative federalism 
• A promoter of competitive federalism through performance-based indices 
• A knowledge and innovation hub supporting evidence-based policymaking 

• Composition of NITI Aayog:

• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India.
• Governing Council: Comprises Chief Ministers of all States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislatures and Lt. Governors of other Union Territories.
• Regional Councils: Formed to address specific issues affecting multiple states or regions.

                        Convened by the Prime Minister 

                        Chaired by the Chairperson of NITI Aayog or their nominee 

• Special Invitees: Experts, specialists, and practitioners nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Full-Time Organisational Framework:

                      Vice-Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister, enjoys Cabinet rank.

                      Full-Time Members: Hold the rank of Minister of State.

                      Part-Time Members: From leading universities and research institutions (on rotation).

                      Ex-Officio Members: Up to four Union Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.

                      Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure.

                      Secretariat: Provides administrative and technical support.

Sources:
PIB
Decanherald
NITI
NITI