NITI Aayog’s Assessment

NITI Aayog’s Assessment

NITI Aayog launches CCUS policy framework

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: CCUS

Mains level: Not Much

niti

The NITI Aayog has prepared a report on the policy framework for Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).

What is Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)?

  • It is the process of capturing carbon dioxide emissions and either using them to make things such as building materials (utilization) or permanently storing those thousands of feet below the surface (storage).
  • Capturing carbon dioxide from industrial operations before it has a chance to enter the atmosphere helps reduce emissions, as does removing it directly from the air.
  • The carbon dioxide is then reused or sent through an injection well deep underground where it is locked away safely and permanently.
  • It’s a straightforward concept that takes infrastructure and policy considerations to implement, and Chevron is committed to making it work.

Steps involved in CCUS

  • Capturing the carbon dioxide for storage: The CO2 is separated from other gases produced in industrial processes, such as those at coal and natural-gas-fired power generation plants or steel or cement factories.
  • Transport: The CO2 is then compressed and transported via pipelines, road transport or ships to a site for storage.
  • Storage: Finally, the CO2 is injected into rock formations deep underground for permanent storage.

What has NITI Aayog identified?

  • CCUS has a critical role to play for the country to halve CO2 emissions by 2050.
  • Key challenge would be to reduce the cost of the mechanisms to implement the technology.
  • CCUS could enable the production of clean products while utilising rich endowments of coal, reducing imports and thus leading to a self-reliant India economy.
  • It has an important role to play in enabling sunrise sectors such as coal gasification and the nascent hydrogen economy in India.

Key sectors identified for carbon utilization

  • Green urea: Green urea can be produced from the captured CO 2 and cost-competitive green hydrogen, from renewable energy-based electrolysis of water. Green urea can replace/complement the traditional LNG/NG-based production and import of ammonia and urea.
  • F&B applications: CO2 is utilized in F&B applications such as carbonated drinks, dry ice, and modified atmosphere packing; however, the scales are much lower compared to green urea.
  • Building materials (concrete and aggregates): There is a large market for aggregates and concrete in a developing country like India, providing a pathway for utilizing CO2 for producing building materials through concrete curing and aggregate formation. In these applications, CO2 is injected in a liquid state without any conversion, thus reducing the energy requirements.
  • Chemicals (methanol and ethanol): Conversion of CO2 to methanol and ethanol from CO2 is proven at a commercial scale in different parts of the world.

Why such move?

  • India’s per capita CO2 emissions were about 1.9 tonnes per annum, which was less than 40% of the global average and about one-fourth of that of China.
  • India needs a sustainable solution for the decarbonization of sectors that contribute to 70% of emission.

Why CCUS is important?

  • CCUS helps reduce the carbon intensity of industrial operations and is a critical component of meeting the global net-zero ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
  • In fact, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change notes in its Global Warming of 1.5 °C report that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 isn’t possible without ambitious mitigation action.

 

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

Parameswaran Iyer will be new NITI Aayog CEO

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NITI Aayog

Mains level: Read the attached story

Parameswaran Iyer, a senior official who helmed the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, will be the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NITI Aayog.

What is the news?

  • Iyer replaces Amitabh Kant, who completes his term in the office on June 30.
  • Kant was appointed CEO of the National Institutions for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog on February 17, 2016, for two years.
  • He got three extensions during his tenure.

Do you know?

Under Mr. Kant, the NITI Aayog helped the Centre launch several programmes such as Digital India and Make in India.

What is NITI Aayog?

  • The NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the GoI.
  • It was established in 2015, by the NDA government, to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model.
  • It advises both the centre and states on social and economic issues.
  • It is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body but the outcome of an executive resolution. It was not created by the act of parliament.

Composition of NITI Aayog

  • The Prime Minister of India is the chairperson/chairman of the NITI Aayog.
  • The PM appoints one Vice-Chairperson, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister.
  • It includes the Chief Ministers of all the states and Union territories.
  • It has Regional Councils for looking after contingencies in regional areas. It is convened and chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes concerned chief ministers and Lt. Governors.
  • The Prime Minister nominates Personalities with skilled knowledge, who are experts in particular domains as special invitees.
  • There are full-time members who hold the rank of ministers.
  • There is a maximum of two Part-time members who are invited from leading organisations, universities, and research centres.
  • The Prime Minister also appoints one Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who holds the rank of a Secretary.

Aims, Agenda, and Objectives of NITI Aayog

The purpose with which NITI Aayog was formed in place of the Planning Commission was a far-sighted vision. It was important to boost the development of India in the emerging global scenario. The objectives are:

  • To generate a platform for national development, sectors and strategies with the collaboration of states and centre.
  • To boost the factor of cooperative federalism between the centre and the states. For national development, it is necessary for both wings to work in synergy.
  • To develop such mechanisms which work at the ground root level for progressive growth. A nation develops when its regions and states develop.
  • To work on long term policies and strategies for long-term development. To set up a system for monitoring progress so that it can be used for analysing and improving methods.
  • To provide a platform for resolving inter-departmental issues amicably.
  • To make it a platform where the programmes, strategies, and schemes can be monitored on a day to day basis, and it could be understood which sector needs more resources to develop.
  • To upgrade technological advancements in such a manner that focus can be made on iNITIatives and programmes.
  • To ensure India’s level and ranking at the worldwide level and to make India an actively participating nation.
  • To progress from food security towards nutrition and standardised meals and focus on agricultural production.
  • To make use of more technology to avoid misadventures and corruption in governance.
  • To make the working system more transparent and accountable.

NITI Aayog – Seven Pillars of Effective Governance

  • NITI Aayog works on principles like Antyodaya (upliftment of poor), inclusion (to include all sections under one head), people participation, and so on.
  • NITI Aayog is a body that follows seven pillars of governance. They are:
  1. To look after pro-people agenda so that the aspirations and desires of no one are compromised.
  2. To respond and work on the needs of citizens.
  3. Make citizens of the nation involve and participate in various streams.
  4. To empower women in all fields, be it social, technical, economic, or other.
  5. To include all sects and classes under one head. To give special attention to marginalised and minority groups.
  6. To provide equal opportunity for the young generation.
  7. To make the working of government more accountable and transparent. It will ensure less chance of corruption and malpractices.

 

Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?

  1. Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament
  2. Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees
  3. Finance Commission
  4. Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
  5. NITI Aayog

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1, 3 and 4

(c) 3, 4 and 5

(d) 2 and 5

 

Post your answer here.
4
Please leave a feedback on thisx

 

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

NITI Aayog gets a new Vice-Chairman

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NITI Aayog

Mains level: Read the attached story

The government has appointed Suman K. Bery as the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog following the resignation of Rajiv Kumar.

What is NITI Aayog?

  • The NITI Aayog serves as the apex public policy think tank of the GoI.
  • It was established in 2015, by the NDA government, to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model.
  • It advises both the centre and states on social and economic issues.
  • It is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body but the outcome of an executive resolution. It was not created by the act of parliament.

Composition of NITI Aayog

  • The Prime Minister of India is the chairperson/chairman of the NITI Aayog.
  • The PM appoints one Vice-Chairperson, who holds the rank of a cabinet minister.
  • It includes the Chief Ministers of all the states and Union territories.
  • It has Regional Councils for looking after contingencies in regional areas. It is convened and chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes concerned chief ministers and Lt. Governors.
  • The Prime Minister nominates Personalities with skilled knowledge, who are experts in particular domains as special invitees.
  • There are full-time members who hold the rank of ministers.
  • There is a maximum of two Part-time members who are invited from leading organisations, universities, and research centres.
  • The Prime Minister also appoints one Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who holds the rank of a Secretary.

Aims, Agenda, and Objectives of NITI Aayog

The purpose with which NITI Aayog was formed in place of the Planning Commission was a far-sighted vision. It was important to boost the development of India in the emerging global scenario. The objectives are:

  • To generate a platform for national development, sectors and strategies with the collaboration of states and centre.
  • To boost the factor of cooperative federalism between the centre and the states. For national development, it is necessary for both wings to work in synergy.
  • To develop such mechanisms which work at the ground root level for progressive growth. A nation develops when its regions and states develop.
  • To work on long term policies and strategies for long-term development. To set up a system for monitoring progress so that it can be used for analysing and improving methods.
  • To provide a platform for resolving inter-departmental issues amicably.
  • To make it a platform where the programmes, strategies, and schemes can be monitored on a day to day basis, and it could be understood which sector needs more resources to develop.
  • To upgrade technological advancements in such a manner that focus can be made on iNITIatives and programmes.
  • To ensure India’s level and ranking at the worldwide level and to make India an actively participating nation.
  • To progress from food security towards nutrition and standardised meals and focus on agricultural production.
  • To make use of more technology to avoid misadventures and corruption in governance.
  • To make the working system more transparent and accountable.

NITI Aayog – Seven Pillars of Effective Governance

  • NITI Aayog works on principles like Antyodaya (upliftment of poor), inclusion (to include all sections under one head), people participation, and so on.
  • NITI Aayog is a body that follows seven pillars of governance. They are:
  1. To look after pro-people agenda so that the aspirations and desires of no one are compromised.
  2. To respond and work on the needs of citizens.
  3. Make citizens of the nation involve and participate in various streams.
  4. To empower women in all fields, be it social, technical, economic, or other.
  5. To include all sects and classes under one head. To give special attention to marginalised and minority groups.
  6. To provide equal opportunity for the young generation.
  7. To make the working of government more accountable and transparent. It will ensure less chance of corruption and malpractices.

 

Also read:

[Burning Issue] Niti Ayog – A critical Analysis

 

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

NITI Aayog publishes Energy and Climate Index List

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: State Energy and Climate Index

Mains level: Costs of cleaner energy alternatives

Gujarat has topped the list for larger States in the NITI Aayog’s State Energy and Climate Index–Round 1 that has ranked States and Union Territories (UTs) on certain parameters.

State Energy and Climate Index

  • The States have been categorized based on size and geographical differences as larger and smaller States and UTs.
  • The index is based on 2019-20 data.
  • It ranks the states’ performance on 6 parameters, namely
  1. DISCOM’s Performance
  2. Access, Affordability and Reliability of Energy
  3. Clean Energy Initiatives
  4. Energy Efficiency
  5. Environmental Sustainability; and
  6. New Initiatives
  • The parameters are further divided into 27 indicators. Based on the composite SECI Round I score.
  • The states and UTs are categorized into three groups: Front Runners, Achievers, and Aspirants.

Performance by the states

  • Gujarat, Kerala and Punjab have been ranked as the top three performers in the category of larger States, while Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were the bottom three States.
  • Goa emerged as the top performer in the smaller States category followed by Tripura and Manipur.
  • Among UTs, Chandigarh, Delhi and Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli are the top performers.
  • Punjab was the best performer in discom performance, while Kerala topped in access, affordability and reliability category.
  • Haryana was the best performer in clean energy initiative among larger States and Tamil Nadu in the energy efficiency category.

 

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

[pib] Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NITI Aayog

Mains level: Evolving concept of urban development

NITI Aayog has launched a report titled ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’ on measures to ramp up urban planning capacity in India.

Reforms in Urban Planning

  • The report has been developed by NITI Aayog, in consultation with concerned ministries and eminent experts in the domain of urban and regional planning.
  • It underscores urban challenges, including town planning and emphasizes need greater policy attention in our country.

Why such report?

  • India is home to 11% of the total global urban population.
  • By 2027, India will surpass China as the most populous country in the world.
  • Unplanned urbanization, however, exerts great strain on our cities. In fact, the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the dire need for the planning and management of our cities.
  • The existing urban planning and governance framework is complex, which often leads to ambiguity and lack of accountability.

Highlights of the report

The report makes several recommendations that can unblock bottlenecks in the value chain of urban planning capacity in India.  Some of them are:

Programmatic Intervention for Planning of Healthy Cities:

  • Every city must aspire to become a ‘Healthy City for All’ by 2030.
  • The report recommends a Central Sector Scheme ‘500 Healthy Cities Programme’, for a period of 5 years, wherein priority cities and towns would be selected jointly by the states and local bodies.

Programmatic Intervention for Optimum Utilization of Urban Land:

  • All the cities and towns under the proposed ‘Healthy Cities Programme’ should strengthen development control regulations based on scientific evidence to maximize the efficiency of urban land (or planning area).
  • The report recommends a sub-scheme ‘Preparation/Revision of Development Control Regulations’ for this purpose.

Ramping Up of Human Resources:

  • To combat the shortage of urban planners in the public sector, the report recommends that the states/UTs may need to a) expedite the filling up of vacant positions of town planners.
  • It asks to additionally sanction 8268 town planners’ posts as lateral entry positions.

Ensuring Qualified Professionals for Undertaking Urban Planning:

  • State town and country planning departments face an acute shortage of town planners.
  • This is compounded by the fact that in several states, ironically, a qualification in town planning is not even an essential criterion for such jobs.
  • States may need to undertake requisite amendments in their recruitment rules to ensure the entry of qualified candidates into town-planning positions.

Re-engineering of Urban Governance:

  • The report recommends the constitution of a high-powered committee to re-engineer the present urban-planning governance structure.
  • The key aspects that would need to be addressed in this effort are:
  1. clear division of the roles and responsibilities of various authorities, appropriate revision of rules and regulations, etc.,
  2. creation of a more dynamic organizational structure, standardisation of the job descriptions of town planners and other experts, and
  3. extensive adoption of technology for enabling public participation and inter-agency coordination.

Revision of Town and Country Planning Acts:

  • Most States have enacted the Town and Country Planning Acts, that enable them to prepare and notify master plans for implementation.
  • However, many need to be reviewed and upgraded.
  • Therefore, the formation of an apex committee at the state level is recommended to undertake a regular review of planning legislations (including town and country planning or urban and regional development acts or other relevant acts).

Demystifying Planning and Involving Citizens:

  • While it is important to maintain the master plans’ technical rigour, it is equally important to demystify them for enabling citizens’ participation at relevant stages.
  • Therefore, the committee strongly recommends a ‘Citizen Outreach Campaign’ for demystifying urban planning.

Steps for Enhancing the Role of Private Sector:

  • The report recommends that concerted measures must be taken at multiple levels to strengthen the role of the private sector to improve the overall planning capacity in the country.
  • These include the adoption of fair processes for procuring technical consultancy services, strengthening project structuring and management skills in the public sector, and empanelment of private sector consultancies.

Steps for Strengthening Urban Planning Education System:

  • The Central universities and technical institutions in all the other States/UTs are encouraged to offer PG degree programmes (MTech Planning) to cater to the requirement of planners in the country.
  • The committee also recommends that all such institutions may synergize with Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and respective state rural development departments.

Measures for Strengthening Human Resource and Match Demand–Supply:

  • The report recommends the constitution of a ‘National Council of Town and Country Planners’ as a statutory body.
  • Also, a ‘National Digital Platform of Town and Country Planners’ is suggested to be created within the National Urban Innovation Stack of MoHUA.
  • This portal will enable self-registration of all planners and evolve as a marketplace for potential employers and urban planners.

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

[pib] SDG India Index 2021

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: SDG Index

Mains level: India's quest for SDGs

The third edition of the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog.

SDG India Index

  • The index measures the progress at the national and sub-national level in the country’s journey towards meeting the Global Goals and targets.
  • It has been successful as an advocacy tool to propagate the messages of sustainability, resilience, and partnerships, as well.
  • From covering 13 Goals, 39 targets, and 62 indicators in the first edition in 2018-19 to 17 Goals, 54 targets and 100 indicators in the second; this third edition of the index covers 17 Goals, 70 targets, and 115 indicators.

Aims and objectives

  • The construction of the index and the ensuing methodology embodies the central objectives of measuring the performance of States and UTs on the SDGs and ranking them.
  • It aims at supporting States and UTs in identifying areas which require more attention; and promoting healthy competition among them.

Methodology and Process

  • The index estimation is based on data on indicators for the first 16 goals, with a qualitative assessment for Goal 17.
  • The technical process of target setting and normalization of scores follow the globally established methodology.
  • While target setting enables the measurement of the distance from the target for each indicator, the process of normalization of positive and negative indicators allows for comparability and estimation of goal-wise scores.
  • The composite score of a State is derived by assigning each goal the same weight, keeping in mind the indivisible nature of the 2030 Agenda.
  • The selection of indicators is preceded by a consultative process undertaken in close coordination with MoSPI, Union Ministries and stakeholders from States and UTs.

Highlights of the 2021 Report

States and Union Territories are classified as below based on their SDG India Index score:

  • Aspirant: 0–49
  • Performer: 50–64
  • Front-Runner: 65–99
  • Achiever: 100

Its significance

  • The index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.
  • The modular nature of the index has become a policy tool and a ready reckoner for gauging the progress of States and UTs on the nature of goals including health, education, gender, economic growth and climate change and the environment.

Back2Basics: Sustainable Development Goals

  • The UN General Assembly in its 70thSession considered and adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years.
  • The 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1st January 2016.
  • Though not legally binding, the SDGs have become de facto international obligations and have the potential to reorient domestic spending priorities of the countries during the next fifteen years.
  • Countries are expected to take ownership and establish a national framework for achieving these goals.
  • Implementation and success will rely on countries’ own sustainable development policies, plans, and programs.

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

[pib] SDG India Index, 2021

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: SGG India Index

Mains level: Sustainable Development Goals

The third rendition of India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index will be launched by NITI Aayog today.

First launched in December 2018, the index has become the primary tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs in the country and has simultaneously fostered competition among the States and UTs.

SDG India Index

  • The index measures the progress at the national and sub-national level in the country’s journey towards meeting the Global Goals and targets.
  • It has been successful as an advocacy tool to propagate the messages of sustainability, resilience, and partnerships, as well.
  • From covering 13 Goals, 39 targets, and 62 indicators in the first edition in 2018-19 to 17 Goals, 54 targets and 100 indicators in the second; this third edition of the index covers 17 Goals, 70 targets, and 115 indicators.

Aims and objectives

  • The construction of the index and the ensuing methodology embodies the central objectives of measuring the performance of States and UTs on the SDGs and ranking them.
  • It aims at supporting States and UTs in identifying areas which require more attention; and promoting healthy competition among them.

Methodology and Process

  • The index estimation is based on data on indicators for the first 16 goals, with a qualitative assessment for Goal 17.
  • The technical process of target setting and normalization of scores follow the globally established methodology.
  • While target setting enables the measurement of the distance from the target for each indicator, the process of normalization of positive and negative indicators allows for comparability and estimation of goal wise scores.
  • The composite score of a State is derived by assigning each goal the same weight, keeping in mind the indivisible nature of the 2030 Agenda.
  • The selection of indicators is preceded by a consultative process undertaken in close coordination with MoSPI, Union Ministries and stakeholders from States and UTs.

Highlights of the 2021 Report

*The launch has been postponed due to model code of conduct by the Election Commission.

Its significance

  • The index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.
  • The modular nature of the index has become a policy tool and a ready reckoner for gauging the progress of States and UTs on the nature of goals including health, education, gender, economic growth and climate change and the environment.

Back2Basics: Sustainable Development Goals

  • The UN General Assembly in its 70thSession considered and adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years.
  • The 17 SDGs came into force with effect from 1st January 2016.
  • Though not legally binding, the SDGs have become de facto international obligations and have potential to reorient domestic spending priorities of the countries during the next fifteen years.
  • Countries are expected to take ownership and establish a national framework for achieving these Goals.
  • Implementation and success will rely on countries’ own sustainable development policies, plans and programmes.

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NITI Aayog’s Assessment

[pib] National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)

Mains level: Data Analytics and its applications in governance

 

NITI Aayog has released its vision for the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP).

National Data and Analytics Platform

  • The platform aims to democratize access to publicly available government data.
  • NDAP will host the latest datasets from various government websites, present them coherently, and provide tools for analytics and visualization.
  • It will spearhead the standardization of formats in which data is presented across sectors and will cater to a wide audience of policymakers, researchers, innovators, data scientists, journalists and citizens.
  • It will follow a user-centric approach and will enable data access in a simple and intuitive portal tailored to the needs of a variety of stakeholders.
  • The development of NDAP will take place over a period of one year. The first version of the platform is expected to be launched in 2021.

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