Important Objectives of NITI Aayog

1. Strategic Planning: NITI Aayog aims to provide strategic and long-term policy frameworks and direction for national development. It replaces the Planning Commission’s role in guiding the country’s economic policy.
2. State-Level Empowerment: It focuses on empowering states by fostering cooperative federalism and encouraging state-specific solutions. This approach promotes regional development tailored to local needs.
3. Innovation and Research: NITI Aayog emphasizes innovation and research through initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which aims to support startups and foster a culture of innovation.
4. Sustainable Development: It works towards sustainable development goals and integrates environmental and social considerations into policy-making. For instance, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework guides its strategy.

Differences from the Planning Commission

1. Institutional Framework: Unlike the Planning Commission, which was a centralized body, NITI Aayog is designed as a think tank and policy advisory body with a focus on collaborative planning and state engagement.
2. Role and Approach: The Planning Commission focused on centralized planning and allocating resources based on Five-Year Plans. In contrast, NITI Aayog emphasizes policy innovation, flexibility, and bottom-up planning.
3. Accountability and Inclusivity: NITI Aayog promotes inclusive growth by involving diverse stakeholders, whereas the Planning Commission’s approach was often seen as top-down.

Recent Example: In 2023, NITI Aayog launched the ‘Aspirational Districts Programme’, which targets improving performance in districts lagging in development, demonstrating its focus on state-specific, inclusive growth compared to the Planning Commission’s broad, centralized approach.