NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is the Union government's apex public policy think tank. It was formed in 2015 by a Union Cabinet resolution, so it is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body. The Prime Minister is its chairperson; a Vice Chairperson and a CEO run it day to day; its Governing Council brings in all Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors to push 'cooperative federalism'.
Key facts
- Formed in 2015 by Cabinet resolution; Prime Minister is chairperson; Governing Council of Chief Ministers and LGs.
- It has no power to allocate funds; it is a think tank and advisory body.
- Vice Chairperson Ashok Lahiri (since April 2026, replacing Suman Bery); CEO Anurag Jain (since 17 August 2026, replacing B. V. R. Subrahmanyam). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Initiatives include the Aspirational Districts programme, the LiFE Mission and Poshan Gyan.
Why exams ask about it
Setters ask which body it replaced, its formation date and legal status, and who chairs it.