As NITI Aayog critically examine its role in the planning and development paradigm of governance in India. (Answer in 250 words)

NITI Aayog is a think-do-tank of India which replaced Planning Commission in 2015 for cooperative federal economic growth of India. Achievement of NITI Aayog in Planning & Development Paradigm: 1. Replaced Top-down model to Bottom-up Planning framework: State-state, State-centre, local government collaboration; Healthy competitions through ranking e.g. SDG Index, Real health index. 2. Participative governance: Input from Civil society e.g. Dismal on policy formulation. 3. Promotion of new technologies: e.g. AI for All. 4. Proactive planning for agility: e.g. Water-management; Road health.

Limitations of NITI Aayog: 1. Non-binding recommendations: e.g. Model law on farm reforms 2. Confrontational federalism: Centre-state disputes on reforms e.g. CSG. 3. Lack of local governance engagement. 4. Some wine in new bottle: Top-down planning still exists. 5. Institutional overlaps with Finance Commission: on tax devolution recommendation. 6. Ineffective bargaining Mechanism for states. 7. Technocratic Rationalistic model leads Ivory tower from social grievances.

Reforms required: 1. Polycentric governance: local government representatives for true bottom planning. 2. Strengthening Centre-state, state-state collaborations. 3. More funds devolution to the states (Autonomous public choice governance). 4. Creation of state branches of NITI Aayog Principle of Subsidiarity. NITI Aayog is at the potential of effective bargaining if Centre-state issues with goal of citizen well-being and reformed ideal governance.