NITI Aayog Composition Revised: Key Ministers Named Ex-Officio and Special Invitees
Why it matters
NITI Aayog, established January 1, 2015, by Cabinet resolution, replaced the Planning Commission. It operates as a policy think tank based on cooperative federalism. The Prime Minister chairs NITI Aayog, which also includes a Vice-Chairperson, full-time members, and a Governing Council of all State Chief Ministers. The central government periodically notifies Union Ministers serving as Ex-officio members and Special Invitees, especially following portfolio adjustments.
The May 2, 2026, notification reflects the current Union Cabinet's leadership structure within the Aayog. Including specific ministers as Special Invitees ensures key sectors like Agriculture, Home, and Finance are integrated into long-term strategies, such as the 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' roadmap. For administrative exams, understanding NITI Aayog's structure and its evolution from the Planning Commission, distinguishing between the Governing Council and Regional Councils, is crucial.
| Designation | Current Status (2026) |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Prime Minister |
| Governing Council | All CMs and LGs |
| Full-time Members | Expert Professionals |
Glossary
Ex-officio Members: Members holding a position in the Aayog due to another office, typically Union Cabinet Ministers.
Cooperative Federalism: A principle where central and state governments collaborate on common issues and national policy formulation.
NaukriSync Exam Angle
Indian Polity/Governance. Key fact to memorise: NITI Aayog is a non-constitutional, non-statutory body created by an executive resolution. Its Chairperson is always the Prime Minister. The latest composition was notified on May 2, 2026. Most likely question format: Statement-based MCQ asking about the structure of NITI Aayog or the date it replaced the Planning Commission (Jan 1, 2015).