Role and Contribution of Planning Commission and NITI Aayog: A Legal Analysis

Planning has been an integral part of India’s economic and administrative processes. A well thought plan can go a long way in uplifting the economic status of one of the world’s largest democracies. Keeping the importance of planning in mind, post-independence, the Planning Commission was established. It was an independent advisory body comprising people in political power as well as experts in the subject. For decades, the Commission made strategies and initiatives in the form of five-year plans which would act as goals and objectives for the States and the Centre for the next five years. The plans launched by the Commission focused on multiple growth domains like- employment, agriculture, industries, etc. apart from the economy per se. These plans did help boost the national economy, however at a slower pace. In addition, there were several other lacunas existing in the functioning of the Planning Commission. As a result, in the year 2014, the decades-old Commission was replaced by a new reformed planning institution named NITI Aayog. This new institute would also act as an advisory body to the government of India. It was based on its own 3 different plans spread over three different time periods. Although the new body exhibited commendable work and growth rates in a short span of time yet, it was also subject to criticism as to whether it is better than the previously existing Planning Commission or not. This paper aims to study the two institutions and the ongoing tussle between the critics of the two in terms of their contribution to the country’s economy and growth.