Relevance of NITI Aayog in contemporary time:

♤ NITI Aayog is acting as a funnel through which new and innovative ideas come from all possible sources like industry, academia, civil society or foreign specialists and flow into the government system for implementation.

♤ It fosters spirit of cooperative federalism within the States by expediting pending issues and conceptualizing Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat to foster inter-state engagements,

♤ Since it does not have power to allocate funds to states, it has enhanced free and democratic participation of states in the planning and working for development of the country. This has changed the states’ approach from competing to get more funds from the centre to competing to get better results.

♤ It is also encouraging knowledge dissemination and innovation through initiatives like Good Practices Resource Book, Atal Innovation Mission, Global Entrepreneurship Summit etc.

♤ It collects real time data through its Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office and connects the various ministers, thereby reducing inertia in the system.

♤ It is promoting evidence based policy making through various tools such as composite water management index, GIS based planning etc.

With states getting much more untied funds from the center after the recommendations of 14th FC, it has become pertinent that state’s capacity to utilise those funds effectively also be developed. NITI Aayog fosters this development through coordination, competition, advice and dissemination of best practices. Further, it has the potential to metamorphose into an organization, which can transform implementation of policy through reforms and play a more meaningful role in shaping the country's future.