Planning Commission and NITI Aayog functions and policy frameworks. - Question Bank

1. Which of the following best describes the policy framework approach of NITI Aayog regarding states?
A) States are mere implementers of central policies.
B) States are active partners in policy formulation and implementation.
C) States have complete autonomy in policy decisions.
D) States are excluded from national policy discussions.
2. The Planning Commission's Five-Year Plans had targets, while NITI Aayog focuses on:
A) Setting rigid deadlines for all policies.
B) Providing a strategic vision and actionable roadmap.
C) Allocating specific financial resources for each sector.
D) Implementing all policies through direct government intervention.
3. NITI Aayog's policy framework on agriculture emphasizes:
A) Mechanization and modernization
B) Promoting traditional farming methods
C) Land redistribution
D) Export subsidies only
4. The shift from Planning Commission to NITI Aayog represents a move from 'plan allocation' to:
A) Centralized control
B) Grants-in-aid
C) Policy advisory and strategy
D) Direct investment
5. Which of the following is a key output of NITI Aayog's policy framework related to health?
A) National Health Policy 2017 implementation oversight
B) Direct management of government hospitals
C) Formulation of medical school curricula
D) Regulation of private healthcare providers
6. NITI Aayog's policy framework aims to incorporate the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Together with all, Development for all) through:
A) Exclusive focus on urban development
B) Inclusive growth strategies targeting all sections of society
C) Prioritizing only industrial growth
D) Implementing welfare schemes without economic considerations
7. The Planning Commission's structure was criticized for being:
A) Too lean and agile
B) Dominated by economists and technocrats
C) Overly inclusive of diverse expertise
D) Lacking in administrative capacity
8. The 'SDG India Index' is a tool developed by NITI Aayog to track progress on:
A) Economic liberalization
B) Sustainable Development Goals
C) Digital India initiatives
D) National security objectives
9. NITI Aayog's policy framework includes a focus on 'Ease of Doing Business'. This aims to:
A) Increase government regulations.
B) Simplify business procedures and attract investment.
C) Promote public sector enterprises exclusively.
D) Restrict foreign direct investment.
10. The Planning Commission's resource allocation was primarily based on:
A) Population and poverty levels
B) Performance and outcome-based metrics
C) State-level initiatives
D) Political influence
11. Which of the following is a 'think tank' function of NITI Aayog?
A) Disbursing grants to states.
B) Formulating Five-Year Plans.
C) Researching and recommending policy interventions.
D) Implementing national projects.
12. NITI Aayog's policy framework emphasizes competition among states, not just cooperation. This is known as:
A) Cooperative Federalism
B) Competitive Federalism
C) Centralized Federalism
D) Fiscal Federalism
13. The dissolution of the Planning Commission and the formation of NITI Aayog was a recommendation of which committee?
A) Swaminathan Committee
B) Rangarajan Committee
C) Chakravarty Committee
D) Gadgil Committee
14. The 'State Energy Efficiency Index' is a key output of NITI Aayog, aiming to:
A) Promote renewable energy adoption.
B) Improve energy conservation and efficiency across states.
C) Regulate energy prices.
D) Develop new energy sources.
15. NITI Aayog's role in coordinating with international organizations like the World Bank and IMF is primarily:
A) To receive directives from them.
B) To act as a conduit for their funding to states.
C) To provide policy inputs and facilitate knowledge sharing.
D) To negotiate loan terms on behalf of India.
16. What is the main difference in the 'policy framework' between the Planning Commission and NITI Aayog?
A) Planning Commission focused on Five-Year Plans, NITI Aayog on long-term vision.
B) Planning Commission was an executive body, NITI Aayog is a constitutional body.
C) Planning Commission allocated funds directly, NITI Aayog only advises.
D) Planning Commission focused on industrial policy, NITI Aayog on service sector.
17. The 'India Innovation Index' is published by NITI Aayog to measure and rank states based on:
A) Agricultural productivity
B) Industrial output
C) Innovation ecosystem
D) Human development index
18. NITI Aayog's structure includes full-time members and part-time members. Part-time members are typically drawn from:
A) Retired bureaucrats
B) Leading universities and research organizations
C) State government officials
D) International development agencies
19. The Planning Commission's approach to planning was often criticized for being:
A) Too decentralized
B) Top-down and rigid
C) Lacking in empirical data
D) Overly focused on state autonomy
20. Which of the following is a key area of focus for NITI Aayog's policy recommendations?
A) Foreign policy formulation
B) Defense procurement strategies
C) Sustainable development and poverty eradication
D) Criminal justice reform
21. NITI Aayog's policy framework aims to create an environment where the Centre and states can:
A) Compete for limited resources
B) Collaborate on national development priorities
C) Operate in isolation
D) Engage in constant conflict
22. The Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog is appointed by:
A) The President of India
B) The Prime Minister of India
C) The Union Cabinet
D) The Parliament
23. The establishment of NITI Aayog signifies a shift from a centralized planning model to a more:
A) Command economy
B) Market-driven economy
C) Cooperative and competitive federalism
D) Autarkic economy
24. NITI Aayog's role in policy formulation is characterized by:
A) Top-down directives
B) Advisory and strategic guidance
C) Sole implementation authority
D) Judicial review of policies
25. The 'Aspirational Districts Programme' is an initiative led by NITI Aayog. Its objective is to:
A) Identify and develop the most backward districts in India.
B) Promote tourism in underdeveloped regions.
C) Provide financial incentives to large industries.
D) Establish special economic zones.
26. NITI Aayog publishes the 'Composite Water Management Index'. This reflects its focus on:
A) Economic growth strategies
B) Sustainable development goals
C) Defense preparedness
D) Space exploration
27. Which of the following is a major policy framework/initiative associated with NITI Aayog?
A) National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)
B) Make in India
C) Goods and Services Tax (GST)
D) National Food Security Act (NFSA)
28. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission's role in:
A) Appraisal and approval of state annual plans.
B) Fund allocation based on Five-Year Plans.
C) National development planning and resource allocation.
D) Direct implementation of centrally sponsored schemes.
29. The 'Knowledge Hub' of NITI Aayog aims to:
A) Provide financial aid to research institutions.
B) Develop best practices and policy frameworks.
C) Conduct public awareness campaigns.
D) Oversee international collaborations.
30. The 'Co-creation Hub' of NITI Aayog focuses on:
A) Analyzing data and providing insights.
B) Developing research methodologies.
C) Engaging with stakeholders to build consensus.
D) Monitoring the progress of government schemes.
31. NITI Aayog has two hubs. What are they?
A) Think Tank Hub and Advisory Hub
B) Policy Research Hub and Implementation Hub
C) Co-creation Hub and Knowledge Hub
D) Innovation Hub and Development Hub
32. Which of the following is a key function of NITI Aayog?
A) Monetary policy formulation.
B) Fiscal policy implementation.
C) Promoting cooperative federalism.
D) Regulating stock markets.
33. NITI Aayog promotes a 'bottom-up' approach to policy making. What does this mean?
A) Policies are dictated by the central government.
B) Policies are formulated after consulting with states and local bodies.
C) Policies are primarily based on international models.
D) Policies are decided by academic experts only.
34. What is the primary role of NITI Aayog?
A) To allocate funds to states for development projects.
B) To act as a think tank and provide policy recommendations to the government.
C) To implement government schemes at the ground level.
D) To conduct census operations.
35. Who is the ex-officio Chairman of NITI Aayog?
A) The President of India
B) The Vice President of India
C) The Prime Minister of India
D) The Finance Minister of India
36. When was NITI Aayog officially established?
A) August 15, 2014
B) January 1, 2015
C) August 15, 2015
D) January 1, 2016
37. NITI Aayog stands for:
A) National Institute for Technological Innovation
B) National Institution for Transforming India
C) New India Think Tank Initiative
D) National Initiative for Technological Advancement
38. Which institution replaced the Planning Commission in 2015?
A) National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
B) Economic Advisory Council
C) National Planning Board
D) Development Policy Commission
39. When was the Planning Commission abolished?
A) 2014
B) 2015
C) 2016
D) 2017
40. The concept of 'Rolling Plan' was introduced during the Janata Party government, replacing which plan?
A) Fourth Five-Year Plan
B) Fifth Five-Year Plan
C) Sixth Five-Year Plan
D) Seventh Five-Year Plan
41. Which Five-Year Plan emphasized the 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) slogan?
A) Third Five-Year Plan
B) Fourth Five-Year Plan
C) Fifth Five-Year Plan
D) Sixth Five-Year Plan
42. What was the main objective of the First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956)?
A) Industrialization
B) Agriculture and irrigation
C) Poverty alleviation
D) Infrastructure development
43. The Five-Year Plans were approved by which body before implementation?
A) The President of India
B) The Supreme Court of India
C) The National Development Council (NDC)
D) The Lok Sabha
44. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Planning Commission?
A) Assessing the material and capital resources of India.
B) Formulating a plan for the most effective and balanced utilization of resources.
C) Determining the stages in which the plan should be carried out.
D) Appointing judges to the Supreme Court.
45. What was the primary role of the Planning Commission?
A) To conduct audits of government expenditure.
B) To advise the government on the formulation of Five-Year Plans.
C) To implement laws passed by Parliament.
D) To interpret the Constitution.
46. The Planning Commission was a non-constitutional advisory body. What does this imply?
A) It was established by an Act of Parliament.
B) Its recommendations were binding on the government.
C) It was set up by an executive resolution of the Government of India.
D) It was a part of the judiciary.
47. Who was the first Chairman of the Planning Commission of India?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C) C. Rajagopalachari
D) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
48. Which article of the Indian Constitution provides the basis for the establishment of the Planning Commission?
A) Article 280
B) Article 282
C) Article 286
D) Article 290
49. When was the Planning Commission of India established?
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1951
D) 1952
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