Ishan BhatnagarAIR 5 · CSE 2025 · 242 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
NITI Aayog is the apex think tank that gives recommendations on meeting the sustainable development goals, inclusive growth and for a viksit Bharat 2047.
Body · points
Role in Planning
moved away from top-down approach of erst-while planning commission → Decentralized planning.
overcentralization → cooperative federalism through effective consultations with states and UTs.
Pro-active anticipation of the future of developmental planning. Eg: white papers on AI, EVs etc.
No role in allocating funds → functional
specialization as a think tank with policy insights
5> Data-driven, feedback oriented planning.
eg> Aspirational districts dashboard.
Role in developmental paradigm
1> Grassroots driven development with inputs to Gram Sabhas, empowering gram panchayats.
2> Focus on inclusive development by prioritizing backward districts through Aspirational Districts Programme.
3> Dynamic and innovation led economy through Atal Innovation Mission, Atal Tinkering Labs.
4> Converting outlays into outcomes.
5> Fostering competitive federalism through healthy competition among states. Eg> Swachh Bharat rankings.
6> Saturation approach to development. Eg > Sampoornta Abhiyan.
Limitations
1> No powers of allocation of funds 2> Lack of institutionalized consultative mechanisms. 3> Less integration with legislative business, policy formulation. 4> Insufficient attention paid to its cutting edge research on climate change, AI, EVs etc.
Way forward
Close · a way forward
1> Expand role to pre-legislative consultations. 2> Holistic integration of insights to governance processes.
3> Expand resources to set up all-India surveys, pilot studies for better data collection.
Hence, NITI Aayog can be instituted as a pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047.