The complete form of “NITI Aayog” is “National Institution for Transforming India Aayog.” It is a coverage tank and a governmental business enterprise in India that serves as the most excellent policy advisory frame for the Government of India. NITI Aayog was established on January 1, 2015, to update the Planning Commission and play a key position in formulating and imposing economic and development guidelines within the USA.
NITI Aayog Evolution
The evolution of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India Aayog) marks a significant change in India’s approach to economic and development planning. Here is an overview of its evolution:
1. Pre-Independence Era: Prior to India’s independence in 1947, economic planning was limited, with a focus on agriculture and resource allocation. During the early post-independence years, the government established the Planning Commission in 1950, headed by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The Planning Commission played a central role in formulating India’s Five-Year Plans and development strategies.
2. Planning Commission Era (1950-2014): The Planning Commission continued to be a key institution for India’s economic planning for several decades. It played a central role in resource allocation, setting development priorities, and fostering economic growth. However, as India’s economic landscape evolved, there was growing criticism of the rigidity and inefficiency of the centralized planning model.
3. Disbanding of the Planning Commission (2014): In August 2014, the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the disbanding of the Planning Commission. This decision was based on the belief that India needed a more flexible and modern institution to address the changing economic and development challenges of the 21st century.
4. Establishment of NITI Aayog (2015): On January 1, 2015, NITI Aayog was formally established to replace the Planning Commission. NITI Aayog operates as a policy think tank and a government agency responsible for providing strategic and technical advice on various aspects of governance and development. Its mission is to promote cooperative federalism and strengthen the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (inclusive development for all).
5. NITI Aayog’s Key Roles: NITI Aayog has a more decentralized and collaborative approach to economic and development planning. Its key roles include:
- Formulating long-term and short-term development plans.
- Collaborating with states and union territories to create customized development strategies.
- Promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
- Conducting research and analysis to address emerging challenges.
- Facilitating international cooperation in areas of interest to India.
Objectives of NITI Aayog
- The active participation of States in the light of national objectives and to provide a framework ‘national agenda’.
- To promote cooperative federalism through well-ordered support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on an uninterrupted basis.
- To construct methods to formulate a reliable strategy at the village level and aggregate these gradually at higher levels of government.
- An economic policy that incorporates national security interests.
- To pay special consideration to the sections of society that may be at risk of not profiting satisfactorily from economic progress.
- To propose strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and review their progress and their effectiveness.
- To grant advice and encourage partnerships between important stakeholders and national-international Think Tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.
- To generate knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial support systems through a shared community of national and international experts, etc.
- To provide a platform for the resolution of inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues to speed up the accomplishment of the progressive agenda.
- To preserve a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their distribution to participants.
- To effectively screen and assess the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources to strengthen the likelihood of success.
- To pay attention to technology improvement and capacity building for the discharge of programs and initiatives.
- To undertake other necessary activities to the implementation of the national development agenda, and the objectives.
Policy Formulation and Implementation
Policy formulation and implementation are crucial processes in government and organizational management. They involve the creation and execution of plans, strategies, and actions to address specific issues or achieve desired outcomes. Here’s an overview of these processes:
Policy Formulation: Policy formulation is the process of developing policies or plans to address specific problems, needs, or goals. It typically involves several key steps:
- Problem Identification: Identify and define the problem or issue that requires attention. This step involves research, data collection, and analysis to understand the nature and scope of the problem.
- Setting Objectives: Determine the desired outcomes or objectives of the policy. What specific goals should the policy achieve?
- Policy Development: Develop policy options and alternatives to address the problem. This may involve brainstorming, research, and consultation with experts and stakeholders.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate the potential costs and benefits of each policy option. Assess the feasibility and impact of each option.
- Decision-Making: Select the preferred policy option based on the analysis and the priorities of the organization or government.
- Policy Design: Create a detailed plan for implementing the chosen policy. Define roles and responsibilities, timelines, and budgetary considerations.
Verticals of Niti Aayog
The supportive bodies or verticals of Niti Aayog help in the smooth functioning of the requisite tasks by the organization.
Niti Aayog has the following verticals under it:
- Administration and Support Units
- Agriculture and Allied Sectors
- Districts Programme Cell
- Communication and Social Media Cell
- Data Management and Analysis, and Frontier Technologies
- Economics and Finance Cell
- Education
- Governance and Research
- Governing Council Secretariat and Coordination
- Industry-I
- Industry-II
- Infrastructure-Connectivity
- Infrastructure-Energy
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Natural Resources and Environment, and Island Development
- Project Appraisal and Management Division
- Public–Private Partnership
- Rural Development
- Science and Technology
- Social Justice and Empowerment, and Voluntary Action Cell
- Social Sector-I (Skill Development, Labour and Employment, and Urban Development)
- Social Sector II (Health and Nutrition, and Women and Child Development)
- State Finances and Coordination
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Water and Land Resources
NITI Aayog Composition
NITI Aayog, or the National Institution for Transforming India Aayog, is composed of members and leadership roles that work together to shape policies and strategies for India’s development. The composition of NITI Aayog is as follows:
- Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairperson of NITI Aayog. In this role, the Prime Minister provides overall direction to the institution’s activities.
- Vice-Chairperson: NITI Aayog has a Vice-Chairperson who assists the Chairperson in leading the organization. The Vice-Chairperson plays a pivotal role in policy formulation and implementation.
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The CEO of NITI Aayog is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the institution. They oversee the implementation of policies and ensure that the organization functions efficiently.
- Full-Time Members: NITI Aayog includes full-time members who are experts in various fields, including economics, social sciences, and management. These members actively participate in policy formulation and provide specialized knowledge and insights.
- Ex-Officio Members: The composition also includes ex-officio members who are typically Union Cabinet Ministers or officials responsible for specific ministries or departments. They represent different sectors of the government and contribute to policy discussions from their respective domains.
- Special Invitees: NITI Aayog can invite experts, specialists, and representatives from various fields, including industry, academia, and civil society, as special invitees to provide valuable inputs and perspectives on specific issues.
- Regional Councils: NITI Aayog has established Regional Councils to promote cooperative federalism and facilitate interaction between the central government and states/union territories. These councils include Chief Ministers of states and union territories as members and are chaired by the Prime Minister.
- Standing Committees: NITI Aayog may form standing committees or sub-groups to delve into specific policy areas or sectors in greater detail. These committees consist of experts and officials with expertise in the relevant field.
Conclusion
In end, NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India Aayog) represents a enormous shift in India’s method to monetary and development planning. Established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission, NITI Aayog embraces a greater inclusive, decentralized, and consultative model of governance. It fosters cooperative federalism by way of involving states and union territories in policy methods and selection-making procedures.
NITI Aayog’s composition, including the Prime Minister as Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, full-time individuals, ex-officio contributors, and special invitees, reflects a collaborative and multidisciplinary method to addressing India’s diverse development challenges.
Frequently Asked Question
NITI Aayog was established on January 1, 2015, replacing the Planning Commission, which had played a central role in India’s economic planning for several decades.
NITI Aayog’s role includes formulating long-term and short-term development plans, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, conducting research, and facilitating cooperation between the central government and states/union territories.
The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairperson of NITI Aayog, providing overall guidance and direction to the institution.
