Government of India has established ‘NITI AAYOG’ in place of

UPPSC 2017

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2017

Explanation

The Government of India replaced the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on January 1, 2015.
The Planning Commission, established in 1950, was responsible for creating centralized Five-Year Plans for national development.
NITI Aayog was introduced to shift from a centralized planning model to one of 'cooperative federalism,' acting as a policy think tank to guide the central and state governments.
This change marked a significant shift in India's approach to economic and social development planning, moving from a top-down to a bottom-up strategy.

Option A: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a separate, statutory body dedicated to the protection of human rights. It was established in 1993 and its functions are distinct from national economic planning.
Option B: The Finance Commission is a constitutional body (under Article 280) that is reconstituted every five years to recommend the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the States. It continues to function alongside NITI Aayog.
Option D: The Law Commission is an executive body that works on legal reform. It is constituted for a fixed tenure to recommend legislative changes and was not replaced by NITI Aayog.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Governance and Policy Making Bodies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding national bodies like NITI Aayog is important for community health nurses, as its policies on health, nutrition (e.g., Poshan Abhiyaan), and sanitation directly impact community health programs and resource allocation.
Nurses in public health must be aware of shifts in national strategy, such as the move from Five-Year Plans to NITI Aayog's long-term vision documents, as this affects funding and priorities for health initiatives.
What if? If the Planning Commission were still active, a community health nurse would likely be implementing programs based on a rigid Five-Year Plan. With NITI Aayog, there is more flexibility for states to innovate and adapt health programs to local needs, requiring nurses to be more adaptable.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'NITI AAYOG'.
Recall or deduce the primary function and history of NITI Aayog. The name itself, 'National Institution for Transforming India,' suggests a major policy overhaul.
Consider the options provided and evaluate the primary role of each commission.
The Planning Commission was famously responsible for creating India's Five-Year Plans. The establishment of NITI Aayog marked the end of this planning model.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their distinct functions: Human Rights (protecting rights), Finance (distributing revenue), and Law (reforming laws).
Conclude that NITI Aayog was specifically created to replace the Planning Commission and its approach to development.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 192-194

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 104-106