NITI Aayog

Background: The Commission on Planning

•   In March 1950, the Government of India passed a resolution establishing the Planning Commission. The aim was to encourage a rapid rise in the people’s standard of living by efficient exploitation of the country’s resources, increased development, and providing opportunities for all to work in community service.
•   The Planning Commission’s responsibilities include assessing all available resources in the country, identifying and augmenting insufficient resources, and formulating working plans to ensure that resources are used in the most efficient and balanced manner possible.
•   The Planning Commission was first chaired by Jawaharlal Nehru.
•   In 2015, the Indian government replaced the Planning Commission with the NITI Aayog.
•   An important difference between both is that, unlike the planning commission, NITI Aayog provides a platform for state governments to come and act together in the national interest. This can also promote Cooperative Federalism.

Overview:

•   A resolution of the Union Cabinet formed the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) on January 1, 2015.
•   NITI Aayog is the Government of India’s premier policy “Think Tank,” offering both directional and policy feedback. While planning strategic and long-term policies and programmes for the government, NITI Aayog provides suitable technical advice to the Centre and States.
•   The NITI Aayog’s Governing Council is made up of

As Chairman, the Prime Minister

  Lt. Governors of Union Territories and Chief Ministers of All States (UTs).

  On 7 June 2018, the reconstitution of NITI Aayog was approved by the Prime Minister to include Ex-officio members and special invitees.