Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog

• 19 Aug 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister chaired the seventh meeting of the Governing Council (GC) of NITI Aayog.

What is NITI Aayog?

• The Planning Commission was replaced by a new institution – NITI Aayog on 1^st January, 2015 with emphasis on ‘Bottom –Up’ approach to envisage the vision of Maximum Governance, Minimum Government, echoing the spirit of ‘Cooperative Federalism’.
• It has two Hubs,
  • Team India Hub acts as an interface between States and Centre.
  • Knowledge and Innovation Hub builds the think-tank acumen of NITI Aayog.

What are the Key Highlights?

• Key Agenda:
  • Crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in pulses, oilseeds and other agri-commodities
  • Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in school Education,
  • Implementation of National Education Policy in higher education, and
  • Urban governance.
• PM’s Address:
  • Every State played a crucial role according to its strength and contributed to India’s fight against Covid-19, leading India to emerge as an example for the developing nations to look up to as a global leader.
  • Each state should focus on promoting its 3Ts, Trade, Tourism, Technology, through every Indian Mission around the world.

What is NITI Aayog’s Governing Council?

• It is the premier body trusted with developing a shared vision of national priorities and strategies with the active involvement of States and Union Territories.
• It is a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues.
• It comprises:
  • The Prime Minister of India.
  • Chief Ministers of all the states and union territories with the legislature.
  • Lt Governors of other UTs.
  • Ex-Officio Members, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Full-Time Members, NITI Aayog.
  • Special Invitees.

What are the Initiatives of NITI Aayog?

• SDG India Index
• Composite Water Management Index
• Atal Innovation Mission
• SATH Project.
• Aspirational District Programme
• School Education Quality Index
• District Hospital Index
• Health Index
• Agriculture Marketing And Farmer Friendly reform Index
• India Innovation Index
• Women Transforming India Awards
• Good Governance Index

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the (2019)

(a) Department of Science and Technology
(b) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Ans: (c)

Exp:

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship based on a detailed study and deliberations on innovation and entrepreneurial needs of the country.
• AIM is envisaged as an umbrella innovation organization that would play an instrumental role in alignment of innovation policies between Central, State and sectoral innovation schemes incentivizing the establishment and promotion of an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship at various levels – higher secondary schools, science, engineering and higher academic institutions, SME/MSME industry, corporate and NGO levels.
• Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Q. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the (2015)

(a) Human Rights Commission
(b) Finance Commission
(c) Law Commission 
(d) Planning Commission

Ans: (d)

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Mains

Q. How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (2018)

Source: PIB