Introduction
We’ll be discussing the difference between NITI Aayog and the Planning Commission in this article. The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a board which was established in 2015 by the Government of India.
Some of its initiatives are 15-year Road map and 7- year vision, strategy and action plan. The Planning Commission was created on 15th March 1950 and discarded on 17th August 2014. Planning Commission of India developed five-year plans of India.
You can also find differences between articles on various topics that you need to know. Just tap on the quick link available and get to know the basic differences between them.
What is the Difference Between NITI Aayog and Planning Commission?
About NITI Aayog
The National Institution for Transforming India or NITI Aayog is an Executive Commission, headed by India’s prime minister, and has a Deputy Chairman. This board presently is commendatory body and has no Statutory Status.
There are different perceptions if the scrapping of the Planning Commission through the whim of a P.M. (as he had a spat with the previous VC of the then Planning Commission), was the right option, and whether the existing Planning Commission after being reformed could reflect the realities of a changed India.
About Planning Commission
Planning Commission was established on the 15th March 1950and was responsible for generating Developmental Plans for the all States of India and the country. All states had their own State Planning Board, who would formulate their Annual Plans for the next five years and merge them into a draft Five Year Plan.
The State Chief Ministers were members of the Planning Commissions. The Commission’s Officers and technical experts would examine these proposals for viability and suggest financial spending accordingly. The Full Commission used to meet once, annually, and more often when required.
Difference Between NITI Aayog and Planning Commission
| Area of differentiation | NITI Aayog | Planning Commission |
| Power capacity | NITI Aayog has no such power to impose policies on States. NITI Aayog is an advisory body. | The Planning Commission previously had the power to impose States’ policies and the projects approved by the Planning Commission. |
| Members | Full-time members could be fewer than the Planning Commission. | The last Commission had eight full-time members. |
| Appointed by | The Prime Minister appoints the CEO of NITI Aayog. Secretaries are called CEOs here. | Planning Commission secretaries were appointed through the usual process. |
| Finance | No power to allocate funds | Had the power to decide the allocation of government funds for various programmes at national and state levels. |
| Relation with States | NITI Aayoga involves a partnership with state governments to maintain co-operative federalism. It forms a platform for structured and constant interaction with states. | Planning Commission was previously a federal government institution with no representation of state government. Therefore there was no structural way for interaction with states. |
Similarities of NITI Aayog and Planning Commission
- The main aim of both these board of people gathers to create for the development of this nation.
- Like planning commission, NITI Aayog is also a non-constitutional body which is not responsible to parliament.
- Both of these boards create plans for the long term ranging from 5-7 years.
- Both the boards gather annually to discuss and formulate the plans.
Frequently Asked Questions on Difference Between NITI Aayog and Planning Commission
Question:
When was NITI Aayog formed?
Answer-
The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a policy think tank established on 1st January 2015 by India’s Government.
Question:
Can the NITI Aayog impose policies?
Answer-
NITI is a think-tank and does not have the power to impose policies.
Question:
What is a major criticism of NITI Aayog?
Answer-
Dismantled planning commission without consulting the states.