NITI Aayog: how India's apex policy think tank was constituted and what it is mandated to do

Background

NITI Aayog was constituted through a resolution of the Union Cabinet dated 1st January 2015.
It serves as the Government of India's apex policy think tank, mandated to provide directional and policy inputs.
Besides formulating long-term strategies, policies and programmes for the Government of India, it offers strategic and technical advice to the Centre, State Governments and Union Territories.
It functions as an institutional platform to foster cooperative federalism by facilitating collaborative engagement among the States in pursuit of national development objectives.
Its first stated objective is to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States.
It is to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.
It is also to ensure, on areas specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.
Another objective is to pay special attention to the sections of society that may be at risk of not benefiting adequately from economic progress.