The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is the premier public policy think tank of the Government of India. It was established on 1 January 2015 by replacing the Planning Commission with the objective of fostering cooperative federalism, promoting sustainable development, and providing strategic and technical advice to the Union and State Governments. Unlike the Planning Commission, which followed a centralized planning model and allocated plan funds to states, NITI Aayog functions as a policy advisory body without financial allocation powers. Its establishment reflected the need for a flexible, participatory, and innovation-driven approach to governance in a rapidly changing economic environment. NITI Aayog aims to achieve national development goals through a bottom-up planning process by involving states, Union Territories, experts, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector. It seeks to strengthen the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism by encouraging healthy competition among states while ensuring collaboration in policy formulation and implementation. The organizational structure of NITI Aayog consists of the Prime Minister as the Chairperson. A Governing Council comprising Chief Ministers of all States, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, and other representatives provides a platform for consultation and coordination. Regional Councils may be constituted to address specific issues affecting multiple states. The Vice-Chairperson, appointed by the Prime Minister, heads the institution's policy framework, while full-time members, part-time