Question

‘NITI Aayog’ came into existence on :

• A. $1^{\text{st}}$ January, 2015
• B. $26^{\text{th}}$ January, 2015
• C. $15^{\text{th}}$ August, 2015
• D. $1^{\text{st}}$ November, 2015

Hint:

Remember: - Announcement of replacement: $15^{\text{th}}$ August 2014 - Official Establishment of NITI Aayog: $1^{\text{st}}$ January 2015 - Prime Minister is always the ex-officio Chairperson.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: NITI Aayog stands for National Institution for Transforming India . It was established as the policy think tank of the Government of India, replacing the former Planning Commission (which functioned from 1950 to 2014).
• Core Philosophy: To promote cooperative federalism by ensuring active participation of state governments in formulating national development strategies, shifting from a traditional "top-down" centralized planning approach to a "bottom-up" strategic framework.
• Structure: The Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.

Step 1: Historical sequence leading to the formation of NITI Aayog.

• During his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on $15^{\text{th}}$ August 2014 , Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government's intention to replace the 64-year-old Planning Commission with a new institution that reflects the dynamic needs of modern India.
• The Planning Commission was formally dissolved shortly thereafter.
• On $1^{\text{st}}$ January 2015 , a Cabinet Resolution was passed by the Union Government establishing the NITI Aayog with immediate effect.

Step 2: Evaluating options.

• Option (A) $1^{\text{st$ January, 2015:} Correct. Official date of constitution and existence.
• Option (B) $26^{\text{th$ January, 2015:} Republic Day, incorrect.
• Option (C) $15^{\text{th$ August, 2015:} One year after the initial speech, incorrect.
• Option (D) $1^{\text{st$ November, 2015:} Incorrect.

Step 3: Conclusion.
NITI Aayog officially came into existence on $1^{\text{st}}$ January, 2015 .