Which among the following is/are the objective/objectives of the NITI Aayog? 1. Imposing policies on the States/UTs 2. Allocation of funds at National and State levels 3. Design strategies and long-term policies and programme frameworks Select the correct answer using the code given below.

NITI Aayog was established in 2015 as a premier policy 'Think Tank' to provide directional and strategic inputs [4]. Unlike the former Planning Commission, NITI Aayog does not have the mandate or power to impose policies on States or Union Territories. Instead, it fosters cooperative federalism through a bottom-up approach and a collaborative partnership with states [3]. Furthermore, NITI Aayog does not possess the authority to allocate funds at national or state levels; this function was transferred to the Finance Ministry [2]. Its core objectives include designing strategic and long-term policy and programme frameworks and monitoring their progress and efficacy [2]. Therefore, only statement 3 is a correct objective of NITI Aayog, while statements 1 and 2 describe powers associated with the defunct Planning Commission.

Sources

1. [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 6: Economic Planning in India > NITI AAYOG > p. 143
2. [4] https://rsdebate.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/646528/1/IQ_234_26022015_U394_p188_p199.pdf
3. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 56: NITI Aayog > ESTABLISHMENT > p. 465
4. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Difference between NITI Aayog and Planning Commission > p. 228