नीती आयोगाच्या संदर्भात खालील विधाने विचारात घ्या :
(a) अध्यक्ष म्हणून भारताचे पंतप्रधान असतात.
(b) भारताचे राष्ट्रपती उपाध्यक्षांची निवड करतात.
(c) सर्व राज्यांच्या मुख्यमंत्र्यांचा समावेश गव्हर्निंग कौन्सिलमध्ये असतो.
वरीलपैकी कोणते/ती विधान/ने योग्य आहेत ?

The correct answer is Option D ((a) and (c) are correct).

Key Points:
• Establishment & Mandate: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was formed via a Cabinet resolution on 1st January, 2015, replacing the historic 65-year-old Planning Commission to serve as the premier policy think-tank of the Government of India.
• Chairperson: Statement (a) is completely correct because the Prime Minister of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
• Appointment of Vice-Chairperson: Statement (b) is incorrect because the Vice-Chairperson is appointed directly by the Prime Minister of India, not by the President of India.
• Governing Council Composition: Statement (c) is correct because the Governing Council includes the Chief Ministers of all States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies (Delhi, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir), and Lieutenant Governors of other Union Territories.
• Key Pillars: It emphasizes Cooperative Federalism and a bottom-up approach to national development priorities, departing from the centralized top-down approach of the Planning Commission.
• Key Takeaway: The Prime Minister chairs NITI Aayog and appoints its Vice-Chairperson, while the Governing Council comprises all State Chief Ministers and UT Lt. Governors.