Discuss the need to replace Planning Commission as the policy think tank in 2015 to replace Planning Commission as the policy think tank. It suggested Centre-State relations, modifying the earlier top down movement of funds & decisions by empowering federalism.

model using AI).

3. Joint working groups - formed on critical issues such as agricultural reform & digital economy.

Role in competitive federalism:

1. Performance based rankings eg. SDG Index, Multidimensional Poverty Index, Health Index etc. These encourage benchmarking & best practices sharing.

2. Ease of doing business ranking - in coordination with DPIT.

3. Output - Outcome monitoring framework promotes evidence based policy making.

Challenges & limitations:

1. Lack of adequate financial powers - entitles Planning commission, no fund allocation powers. This limits its influence.

2. Lacks statutory status.

3. Allegations of one-centralisation.

4. Dominance of Bureaucrats (specialists) over domain experts (specialists) - limits involvement of subject matter experts in policy making.

5. Inadequate coordination between Centre & States - census clauses by States such as Kerala & Punjab.

Way forward

1. Greater involvement of State in policy decisions.

2. Expanding domain expertise.

3. Empower Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office (DMEO) with real time data analytics.

NITI Aayog has scrutinised spirit of federalism by promoting collaboration & healthy competition to ensure India becomes a developed nation in letter & spirit.