What is a Niti Aayog? Explain …

NITI Aayog was established on 1st January 2015, which was a replacement of the Planning Commission. It serves as an advisory body or a “Think Tank” of the government of India to advice on social and economic issues.

Composition of NITI Aayog:

The NITI Aayog comprises the following:

1. Prime Minister of India as the Chairperson

2. Governing Council comprising the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories

3. Regional Councils will be convened to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region by the Prime Minister and will comprise of the Chief Ministers of States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories in the region.

4. Experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister

5. The full-time organizational framework will comprise of, in addition to the Prime Minister as the Chairperson:

The major objectives of NITI Aayog are mentioned below:

1. To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives.

2. To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.

3. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government.

4. To ensure that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.

5. To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefitting adequately from economic progress.

6. To design strategic and long term poli