NITI Aayog: the think-tank that replaced the Planning Commission, and how it is built
Background
The Government replaced the Planning Commission with a new institution named NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, through a Cabinet Resolution.
It is meant to be a think-tank giving governments at the Centre and in the States strategic and technical advice, and to replace a centre-to-state one-way flow of policy with a continuing partnership with the States.
The Prime Minister is the Chairperson, and the Governing Council has the Chief Ministers of all States and the Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
Regional Councils can be formed for a specified tenure to handle issues affecting more than one State or a region.
The full-time framework has a Vice-Chairperson and a Chief Executive Officer of Secretary rank, both appointed by the Prime Minister, along with full-time Members, a maximum of 2 part-time Members and a maximum of 4 ex-officio Members.
In plain words
Cooperative federalism Cooperative federalism — Centre and States working as partners in policy rather than the Centre dictating to the States.
Ex-officio member Ex-officio member — A member who sits on the body because of another office he or she holds.