India Vision 2047: Economist Surjit Singh Bhalla Critiques Evolution of NITI Aayog

Speaking at the ABP Network India@2047 Conclave, economist Surjit Singh Bhalla commented on the transformation of India’s Planning Commission into NITI Aayog. He said that when the change was first announced, he believed it was a brilliant idea that could establish a strong and effective think tank for the country. Bhalla explained that the expectation was for NITI Aayog to function as a modern policy research institution that would contribute innovative ideas and long-term strategic planning for India’s development. However, he noted that over time, this vision has not been fully realized. According to him, many people today no longer view NITI Aayog as a true think tank. He emphasized that a genuine think tank is typically non-bureaucratic in nature, allowing for independent research, open intellectual debate, and policy innovation without administrative constraints. Bhalla described this as a significant issue, suggesting that the lack of a fully independent policy ecosystem limits the scope of high-quality policy formulation. His remarks highlighted broader concerns about institutional design and the need for stronger, more autonomous bodies to support evidence-based policymaking in India. The discussion reflected ongoing debates about how India’s policy institutions can evolve to better support long-term economic and governance reforms.