On May 24, 2025, the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This meeting brought together Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors from various states and Union Territories to discuss India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, under the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047.” The focus was on cooperative federalism, where the Centre and states work as “Team India” to align local goals with national priorities. Key topics included economic growth, infrastructure, skilling, and sustainable development. The meeting also built on ideas from the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, emphasizing entrepreneurship and employment. Despite some opposition leaders skipping the event, it was a key step toward shaping India’s future. This article dives into the meeting’s goals, discussions, outcomes, and what it means for India’s journey to 2047.
Background of NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog, or the National Institution for Transforming India, was set up in 2015 to replace the old Planning Commission. Unlike its predecessor, it focuses on a bottom-up approach, encouraging states to play a big role in national development. The Governing Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, includes Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, Union Ministers, and NITI Aayog members. It’s a platform to discuss and solve issues across sectors, from health to infrastructure, while promoting cooperative federalism. The 10th meeting, held on May 24, 2025, was a landmark event, marking a decade of NITI Aayog’s efforts to drive India’s growth. Its theme, “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat,” highlighted the need for states to create their own vision documents to support the national goal of a developed India by 2047.
Purpose of the Governing Council
The Governing Council brings together leaders to align state and national goals. It’s a space to discuss challenges, share best practices, and plan strategies that help India grow. By focusing on cooperative federalism, it ensures states have a voice in shaping policies that impact them directly.
Evolution from Planning Commission
The Planning Commission, started in 1950, used a top-down approach, setting rigid plans for states. NITI Aayog, launched in 2015, flipped this by giving states more freedom to design their own growth paths. This shift emphasizes partnership and flexibility, making development more inclusive and practical for diverse regions.
Theme and Objectives of the 10th Meeting
The 10th Governing Council Meeting centered on “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047,” aiming to make India a developed nation by its 100th year of independence. The goal was to create a roadmap for a $30 trillion economy, focusing on inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainability. Discussions emphasized how states can craft bold, long-term vision documents that align with national priorities while addressing local needs. The meeting also aimed to strengthen cooperative federalism, encouraging states to compete healthily in areas like investment and infrastructure. Key objectives included boosting entrepreneurship, improving skills, and creating sustainable jobs to leverage India’s young population. The Prime Minister stressed that developed states are key to a developed India.
Viksit Bharat@2047 Vision
The “Viksit Bharat@2047” vision is about making India a global leader by 2047, with a $30 trillion economy. It focuses on economic growth, social progress, and good governance. States were urged to create their own plans to contribute to this ambitious goal, ensuring no region is left behind.
Role of States in National Goals
States are the building blocks of India’s growth. The meeting pushed for each state and district to develop its own vision for 2047, tailored to local strengths like tourism or manufacturing. This ensures national goals are met through localized, practical strategies that reflect regional realities.
Key Discussions and Focus Areas
The meeting covered critical areas to drive India’s development. Leaders discussed boosting infrastructure, improving law and order, and creating investor-friendly environments to attract businesses. Skilling youth for jobs was a major focus, with ideas to make India a global hub for skilled workers. Agricultural productivity, natural farming, and water conservation through programs like Amrit Sarovar were also highlighted. The meeting built on recommendations from the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, held in December 2024, which focused on entrepreneurship, employment, and skilling. Topics like manufacturing in smaller cities and sustainable development were key to ensuring long-term growth. The discussions aimed to create actionable plans for states to follow.
Infrastructure and Investment
The Prime Minister emphasized that strong infrastructure, good governance, and law and order are vital for attracting investments. An “Investment-friendly Charter” was proposed to set standards for states, encouraging healthy competition to draw businesses and boost economic growth across regions.
Skilling and Employment
With India’s young population, skilling is crucial. The meeting focused on training youth for modern jobs, especially in technology and manufacturing. Programs to enhance employability were discussed, aiming to make India a global leader in skilled labor while creating sustainable jobs.
Sustainable Development
Sustainability was a big theme, with talks on natural farming to improve soil health and cut costs. Water conservation efforts, like the Amrit Sarovar program, were highlighted to ensure resources for future generations. These steps aim to balance growth with environmental care.
Role of Cooperative Federalism
Cooperative federalism was at the heart of the meeting, with the Prime Minister calling for states and the Centre to work as “Team India.” This approach ensures policies reflect local needs while supporting national goals. The meeting highlighted how states and the Centre partnered during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving the power of collaboration. By sharing ideas and best practices, states can learn from each other, like adopting successful education or health programs. The meeting also pushed for competitive federalism, where states compete to improve governance and attract investment. This balance of cooperation and competition drives progress and ensures no state is left behind in India’s journey to 2047.
Strengthening Centre-State Collaboration
The meeting stressed the need for the Centre and states to work closely. Programs like the Aspirational Districts Programme show how collaboration can uplift underdeveloped areas. Regular meetings and feedback loops ensure policies are practical and effective for all regions.
Competitive Federalism in Action
Competitive federalism encourages states to improve their policies, like easing business regulations or upgrading infrastructure. The proposed “Investment-friendly Charter” will rank states on investor-friendly measures, pushing them to compete while contributing to national growth.
Outcomes and Action Plans
The 10th meeting produced several actionable outcomes. NITI Aayog was tasked with studying state suggestions to create a detailed roadmap for Viksit Bharat. States were asked to develop vision documents for 2047, focusing on local strengths like tourism or agriculture. The meeting also emphasized expanding programs like the Aspirational Blocks Programme to improve underdeveloped areas. An “Investment-friendly Charter” will guide states to attract businesses, with clear metrics to track progress. Discussions from the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, held in December 2024, were incorporated, focusing on entrepreneurship and skilling. These outcomes aim to ensure states play a key role in India’s growth while addressing local challenges.
State Vision Documents
States were encouraged to create vision documents for 2047, outlining their plans for growth in areas like education, health, and industry. These documents will align with national goals but reflect local needs, ensuring inclusive development across diverse regions.
Investment-Friendly Charter
The “Investment-friendly Charter” will set standards for states to attract businesses. It includes policies for better governance, faster approvals, and improved infrastructure. States will be monitored to encourage healthy competition, driving economic growth nationwide.
Challenges and Absences
Not all states participated, with some opposition Chief Ministers, like West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee and Bihar’s Nitish Kumar, skipping the meeting. Reasons varied, from prior commitments to protests against central policies. Their absence raised concerns about full state representation, as 10 states and Union Territories didn’t attend the 9th meeting either. This can weaken cooperative federalism, as missing voices might leave some regional issues unaddressed. The meeting also faced challenges in balancing national and state priorities, as diverse regions have unique needs. Despite these hurdles, the discussions moved forward, with NITI Aayog tasked to incorporate feedback from all states, even those absent, to ensure a unified approach.
Absenteeism of Key Leaders
The absence of leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar sparked debate. Some cited scheduling conflicts, while others protested central policies, like Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal boycotting over a services ordinance. This highlights tensions that need resolving for true collaboration.
Balancing Diverse State Needs
India’s states vary in size, economy, and challenges. The meeting faced the task of aligning diverse needs—like urban Delhi’s infrastructure versus rural Sikkim’s tourism—into a unified national plan. Flexibility in policy design is key to addressing these differences effectively.
Impact on India’s Development Goals
The 10th meeting is a milestone in India’s journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. By focusing on state-level visions, it ensures growth is inclusive, reaching rural and urban areas alike. The emphasis on skilling and entrepreneurship aims to harness India’s young population, turning them into a global workforce. Infrastructure and investment discussions will boost economic growth, while sustainability efforts ensure long-term benefits. Programs like the Aspirational Blocks Programme will uplift underdeveloped areas, reducing regional gaps. The meeting’s outcomes, if implemented well, could position India as the world’s third-largest economy, as the Prime Minister noted India’s rise from the 10th to 5th largest economy in a decade.
Economic Growth Targets
The meeting set a bold target of a $30 trillion economy by 2047, making India the third-largest globally. This builds on India’s growth from the 10th to 5th largest economy since 2014, driven by better infrastructure and policies. States are key to hitting this target.
Social and Environmental Progress
Beyond economics, the meeting focused on social progress, like better health and education, and environmental goals, like water conservation and natural farming. These ensure development benefits all citizens while protecting resources for future generations, balancing growth with sustainability.
Role of NITI Aayog in Implementation
NITI Aayog plays a central role in turning the meeting’s ideas into action. It will study state suggestions, create detailed plans, and monitor progress on initiatives like the “Investment-friendly Charter.” Its Team India Hub connects states with the Centre, ensuring smooth coordination. The Knowledge and Innovation Hub drives research to support policies, while programs like the Aspirational Districts Programme show NITI Aayog’s ability to uplift backward areas. The organization also provides technical advice to states, helping them design vision documents and implement projects. By fostering cooperative federalism, NITI Aayog ensures the 10th meeting’s outcomes lead to real change across India.
Coordinating State Efforts
NITI Aayog’s Governing Council Secretariat coordinates with states to align their plans with national goals. It collects feedback, shares best practices, and helps states implement programs like skilling or infrastructure projects, ensuring a unified approach to development.
Driving Innovation and Policy
Through its Knowledge and Innovation Hub, NITI Aayog researches new ideas, like blockchain for governance or sustainable farming. It provides states with data and strategies to improve policies, helping them stay innovative while meeting national development targets.
Future Steps for Viksit Bharat
The 10th meeting laid the groundwork for India’s future, but the real work lies ahead. States must now create their 2047 vision documents, focusing on local strengths like tourism in Sikkim or manufacturing in Gujarat. NITI Aayog will guide this process, ensuring plans are practical and aligned with national goals. Regular follow-ups, like future Governing Council meetings, will track progress. Expanding programs like the Aspirational Blocks Programme and promoting natural farming will keep development inclusive and sustainable. The Prime Minister’s call for “Team India” means states and the Centre must stay committed to collaboration, overcoming challenges like absenteeism or regional differences to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
State-Level Action Plans
States need to act fast, drafting vision documents that highlight their unique strengths. For example, coastal states might focus on ports, while rural ones prioritize agriculture. NITI Aayog will support with data and expertise to make these plans effective and realistic.
Monitoring and Accountability
To ensure success, NITI Aayog will monitor state progress through metrics like the “Investment-friendly Charter.” Regular reviews and Governing Council meetings will hold states accountable, ensuring their efforts contribute to the national goal of a developed India by 2047.
Voices from the Meeting
The meeting saw active participation from many leaders, though some voices were missed. Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Hemant Soren emphasized that Viksit Bharat requires inclusive growth, with states having a say in policies. Sikkim’s Chief Minister P.S. Tamang Golay expressed pride in contributing to the discussions, highlighting local priorities like tourism. The Prime Minister reiterated that every state’s development is crucial for a developed India, urging focus on areas like exports and skilling. Despite absences, the meeting fostered dialogue, with NITI Aayog tasked to include feedback from all states. These voices underline the importance of collaboration and local input in shaping India’s future.
State Leaders’ Perspectives
Leaders like Hemant Soren stressed the need for policies that include all regions, while others highlighted local strengths, like tourism or agriculture. These perspectives show how states can contribute uniquely to Viksit Bharat while addressing their specific challenges.
Prime Minister’s Vision
Prime Minister Modi emphasized “Team India,” urging states to focus on tourism, skilling, and investment. He highlighted India’s economic rise and the need for states to align their goals with the national vision of a $30 trillion economy by 2047.
