As NITI Aayog completes 10 years of its establishment, critically examine its role in the planning and development paradigm of governance in India. (Answer in 250 words)

specialization as a think tank with policy inputs. Role in developmental paradigm: 1) Grassroots driven development with inputs to Gram Sabha, empowering gram panchayats. 2) Focus on inclusive development to prioritizing backward district through Aspirational District Programme. 3) Dynamic and innovation led economy through Atal Innovation Mission, Atal Tinkering labs. 4) Converting outlays into outcomes. 5) Fostering competitive federalism through healthy competition among state, EG: Swadth Bharat ranking. 6) Saturation approach to development, E.g.: Sampoornta Abhiyaan. Limitations: 1) No powers of allocation of funds. 2) Lack of institutionalized consultative mechanism. 3) Lack integration with legislative framework, policy formulation. 4) Insufficient attention paid to cutting edge research on climate change, AI, EVs etc. Way forward: 1) Expand role to pre-legislative consultations. 2) Holistic integration of insights to governance process. 3) Expand resources set up all-in-one survey, pilot studies for better data collection.

Hence, NITI Aayog can be instituted as a pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047.