Trace the reasons for limited effectiveness of the NITI Aayog. (Answer in 150 words)

- Trace the reasons for limited effectiveness of the NITI Aayog. (Answer in 150 words)
Introduction
The NITI Aayog, established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission, was envisioned as a think tank promoting cooperative and competitive federalism through policy innovation and coordination. However, its effectiveness has remained limited.
Body
1. Advisory Nature: Unlike the Planning Commission, NITI Aayog lacks financial powers and control over plan funds, reducing its influence on states’ policy implementation.
2. Limited Statutory Authority: It functions through executive resolution, not legislation, weakening its institutional autonomy and enforcement capacity.
3. Coordination Challenges: Diverse political and economic interests among states often hinder effective consensus-building, undermining its role in cooperative federalism.
4. Implementation Gap: Its recommendations, though analytically sound, often remain non-binding, leading to weak follow-through by ministries and states.
5. Bureaucratic Continuity: NITI Aayog’s functioning sometimes mirrors the top-down approach of its predecessor, limiting innovation and stakeholder participation.
Conclusion
To enhance its effectiveness, NITI Aayog needs greater financial authority, statutory backing, and collaborative mechanisms that align federal policy advice with actionable implementation.