"Replacement of the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog has changed the approach to development planning in…

Question

"Replacement of the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog has changed the approach to development planning in India." Explain.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Replacing the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog in 2015 shifted Indian planning from a centralised, top-down, one-size-fits-all model to cooperative federalism, with states as equal partners. NITI Aayog works as a think tank without fund-allocation powers, using data-driven indices and programmes like the Aspirational Districts Programme.

**Introduction**

Replacing the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog in 2015 marked a paradigm shift in India’s development planning, emphasizing cooperative federalism and regional diversity to foster inclusive growth⟦1⟧.

**Features and Role of the Planning Commission**

1. **Centralized Command Model**: Established in 1950, the Planning Commission formulated five-year plans and allocated resources centrally, often ignoring state-specific needs and causing fiscal tensions, as seen in ==Telangana==’s post-statehood challenges.

2. **Criticisms**: It was criticized for bureaucratic rigidity and political influence, failing to adapt to India’s evolving economic landscape.

**Features and Role of NITI Aayog**

3. **Policy Think Tank and Collaborative Platform**: NITI Aayog promotes cooperative federalism by involving states⟦2⟧ as partners, providing strategic advice and data-driven tools like the Fiscal Health Index⟦3⟧, and coordinating initiatives such as the Aspirational Districts Programme targeting underdeveloped areas including ==Telangana==.

4. **Flexible Structure and Fiscal Decentralization**: As a non-statutory body without fund allocation powers, it encourages states’ fiscal autonomy and innovation, exemplified by schemes like the Atal Innovation Mission.

**Changes in Development Planning Approach**

5. **From Centralized to Cooperative Federalism**: The shift empowers states to design context-specific strategies, with ==Telangana== leveraging Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha under NITI’s framework.

6. **Data-Driven and Inclusive Growth**: Emphasis on real-time data and outcome-oriented programs enhances transparency and addresses regional disparities at district and block levels.

**Way Forward**

7. **Capacity Building and Monitoring**: Strengthening state capacities and expanding data-driven monitoring will ensure adaptive and effective planning.

**Conclusion**

NITI Aayog’s collaborative, flexible, and data-centric approach has redefined India’s development planning, fostering inclusive and regionally balanced growth.

"నీతి ఆయోగ్ ద్వారా ప్రణాళికా సంఘం స్థానభ్రంశం భారతదేశంలో అభివృద్ధి ప్రణాళిక విధానాన్ని మార్చింది." వివరించండి.

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ప్రణాళిక, నీతి ఆయోగ్, సరళీకరణ5 questions

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