Planning Commission to NITI Aayog — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

For Prelims success, focus on factual accuracy and comparative analysis. Memorize key dates: Planning Commission established March 15, 1950, dissolved January 1, 2015; NITI Aayog established January 1, 2015.

Master structural differences: Planning Commission had Deputy Chairman as executive head, NITI Aayog has Vice-Chairperson and CEO; Governing Council includes all CMs in NITI Aayog. Understand functional differences: allocative vs advisory powers, Five Year Plans vs Vision Documents.

Learn key initiatives: Aspirational Districts Programme (117 districts), various state indices, SDG monitoring. Practice elimination techniques: eliminate options suggesting constitutional status differences (both extra-constitutional), financial powers for NITI Aayog (advisory only), or sectoral focus differences (both comprehensive).

Common traps include confusing cooperative federalism with competitive federalism, mixing up structural positions, and assuming NITI Aayog has Planning Commission's financial powers.