NITI Aayog

• On the 13th of August, 2014 the 65-year-old Planning Commission is replaced by a new body [The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)].
• The NITI Aayog was established on 01.012015.
• It was created by an executive resolution of the Government of India (i.e., Union Cabinet).
• It is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body.
• It is a extra-constitutional body.
• It is created to maintain federalism of India and following a ‘bottom-up’ approach model.
• It is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs and also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.

The composition of the NITI Aayog

• Chairperson: The Prime Minister of India
• Governing Council: It comprises the Chief Ministers of all the
• States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislatures (i.e., Delhi,
• Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir) and Lt. Governors of other Union Territories.
• Regional Councils (Like Governing Council).
• Special Invitees (Nominated by the Prime Minister).
• Vice-Chairperson: He is appointed by the Prime Minister (enjoys the rank of a Cabinet Minister).
• Chief Executive Officer: He is appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure (Rank - The Secretary to the Government India).

Specialized wings

1. Research Wing
2. Consultancy Wing
3. Team India Wing

• NITI Aayog functions in close cooperation, consultation and coordination with the Ministries of the Central Government, and State Governments.