NITI Aayog — Set 2
Economics · नीति आयोग · Questions 11–20 of 60
Which specialized wing of NITI Aayog focuses on resolving inter-state and inter-departmental issues?
Correct Answer: C. Team India Wing
• **Team India Wing** = The Team India Wing acts as the interface between states and the central government to resolve inter-state issues. • **Cooperative federalism** — It ensures every state has a dedicated platform in national policy-making, reinforcing cooperative federalism. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Consultancy Wing: not the correct name; Research Wing: focuses on knowledge, not inter-state liaison; Publicity Wing: not a formal wing of NITI Aayog.
The concept of 'Cooperative Federalism' is a core pillar of which organization?
Correct Answer: D. NITI Aayog
• **NITI Aayog** = Cooperative Federalism is a core pillar of NITI Aayog, aiming for active state involvement in national policy. • **Departure from old model** — Unlike the old system where states were mere recipients of central grants, NITI Aayog treats states as equal development partners. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Election Commission: regulates elections; ISRO: space agency; Reserve Bank of India: monetary authority.
Which initiative of NITI Aayog aims to promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship across India?
Correct Answer: C. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
• **Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)** = AIM is NITI Aayog's flagship initiative to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across India. • **Atal Tinkering Labs** — AIM has set up thousands of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools and Atal Incubation Centres for startups. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Digital India: Ministry of Electronics initiative; Skill India: Ministry of Skill Development initiative; Make in India: manufacturing promotion initiative, not directly under NITI Aayog.
Who was the first Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog?
Correct Answer: B. Arvind Panagariya
• **Arvind Panagariya** = Arvind Panagariya was the first Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog, appointed in January 2015. • **August 2017** — He served until August 2017, helping shape the institution's early direction as a renowned Indian-American economist. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Suman Bery: a later Vice-Chairperson; Bimal Jalan: former RBI Governor, not NITI VC; Rajiv Kumar: second Vice-Chairperson, succeeded Panagariya.
The 'Aspirational Districts Programme' was launched by NITI Aayog to transform districts that are?
Correct Answer: B. Most lagging in socio-economic indicators
• **Most lagging in socio-economic indicators** = The Aspirational Districts Programme targets the 112 most backward districts that showed least progress in key social areas. • **49 indicators** — The programme monitors 49 indicators across health, education, and agriculture to drive district-level improvements using a competitive model. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Close to international borders: not the criterion; Highest urban population: opposite of the target profile; Richest in minerals: unrelated to this programme's objective.
Which of the following is NOT a pillar of NITI Aayog's effective governance?
Correct Answer: C. Centralized Command
• **Centralized Command** = Centralized Command is NOT a pillar of NITI Aayog's governance; the Aayog explicitly promotes decentralization and participation. • **Seven pillars** — NITI Aayog's governance is based on seven pillars including pro-activity, transparency, equality, and inclusion. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Transparency: a valid pillar of NITI Aayog; Pro-people: a valid pillar; Inclusion of all: a valid pillar.
Which document replaced the old Five-Year Plans under the NITI Aayog framework?
Correct Answer: C. Three-Year Action Agenda
• **Three-Year Action Agenda** = NITI Aayog replaced Five-Year Plans with a Three-Year Action Agenda combined with a Seven-Year Strategy and Fifteen-Year Vision. • **Flexibility** — This framework allows more dynamic policy adjustments in a rapidly changing economy than the rigid five-year cycle. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Annual Budget: a financial document, not a replacement for Five-Year Plans; Twenty-Point Programme: an older government scheme; Ten-Year Policy Code: not an official NITI Aayog document.
Which report is published by NITI Aayog to rank Indian states on their management of water resources?
Correct Answer: D. Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)
• **Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)** = The CWMI is released by NITI Aayog to rank states on water resource management performance. • **Water security** — The index covers groundwater restoration and irrigation to help states identify governance gaps and achieve water security. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: River Basin Analysis: not a NITI Aayog index; Water Quality Report: released by other bodies; National Aquifer Mapping: a geological survey initiative.
Who was the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog?
Correct Answer: B. Sindhushree Khullar
• **Sindhushree Khullar** = Sindhushree Khullar, a retired IAS officer, was the first CEO of NITI Aayog, serving from early 2015. • **Transitional role** — She was instrumental in the transition from the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog during the institution's founding phase. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Amitabh Kant: a later and long-serving CEO; Parameswaran Iyer: subsequent CEO; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam: a more recent CEO.
Which wing of NITI Aayog maintains a panel of domain experts to provide specialized knowledge?
Correct Answer: A. Knowledge and Innovation Wing
• **Knowledge and Innovation Wing** = This wing acts as a repository of specialized skills and best practices to support government policies. • **Think Tank function** — It builds a database of domain experts and research facilities, enabling NITI Aayog to provide cutting-edge policy advice. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Team India Wing: handles state-centre interface; Administrative Wing: handles internal administration; Legal Wing: not a formally named wing of NITI Aayog.