English PSSSB Practice 45

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a policy think tank and planning institution of the Government of India, established on 1 January 2015 to replace the Planning Commission. The aim of creating NITI Aayog was to make planning in India more flexible, cooperative, and focused on the needs of the states. Unlike the Planning Commission, which followed a top-down approach, NITI Aayog works on a bottom-up approach, giving more importance to the participation of states in decision-making. The Aayog is chaired by the Prime Minister of India, and it includes vice-chairpersons, full-time and part-time members, and special invitees, along with representatives of the states and union territories. Its main objective is to promote cooperative federalism by fostering a spirit of partnership between the central and state governments. NITI Aayog prepares strategic and long-term policies for sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth in India. It also acts as a think tank to provide policy advice, research support, and best practice guidelines to the government. The Aayog works in areas such as agriculture, health, education, technology, infrastructure, sustainable development, and governance reforms. It publishes important reports, indexes, and rankings to encourage competition among states and improve governance. One of its notable initiatives is the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) India Index, which tracks the progress of states in achieving national and global development goals. NITI Aayog also promotes innovation through the Atal Innovation Mission and supports start-ups, skill development, and digital transformation. Its approach emphasizes cooperative planning, decentralization, and sustainability. By involving states and experts in policymaking, NITI Aayog aims to create a roadmap for India's future development, making it more inclusive, competitive, and globally strong.