On May 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with the theme “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”. Attended by Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors from 24 States and 7 Union Territories, the meeting emphasized cooperative federalism and state-level contributions to make India a developed nation by 2047. This event, marked by a minute’s silence for victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Vision of Viksit Bharat@2047
A Collective Aspiration
Prime Minister Modi described Viksit Bharat as the aspiration of 140 crore Indians, not merely a political agenda. He stressed that achieving a developed India by 2047 requires every state, city, and village to be developed. By accelerating development and fostering Team India synergy between the Centre and states, Modi believes India can achieve this goal well before 2047. The meeting highlighted the need for state vision documents aligned with national priorities.
Key Focus Areas
Driving Economic and Social Progress
The meeting outlined several priorities to advance the Viksit Bharat vision:
- Tourism Development: PM Modi urged states to develop at least one global-standard tourist destination to attract international visitors and boost local economies.
- Investment Opportunities: With global investors showing huge interest in India, states were encouraged to remove policy bottlenecks and leverage trade agreements with the UAE, UK, and Australia.
- Skilling Youth: A ₹60,000 crore scheme for skilling was highlighted, with a focus on modern technologies like AI, semiconductors, and 3D printing to prepare youth for emerging sectors.
- Urban Development: States were urged to focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities for sustainable
- Water Management: PM Modi encouraged the creation of river grids at the state level, citing Bihar’s Kosi-Mochi connection grid as a model.
| Priority Area | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Develop one global-standard tourist destination per state |
| Investment | Create an Investment-friendly Charter, leverage global interest |
| Skilling | ₹60,000 crore scheme for modern technology training |
| Urban Development | ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund for tier 2/3 cities |
Operation Sindoor and Civil Defense
Strengthening National Security
The meeting unanimously supported Operation Sindoor, a targeted operation to destroy terror infrastructure, praised for the valour of the armed forces and PM Modi’s leadership. The PM emphasized that civil defense preparedness should be institutionalized, with states adopting modern approaches and conducting regular mock drills to enhance readiness.
State Contributions and Challenges
Regional Visions and Demands
Chief Ministers like Rekha Gupta (Delhi) presented a “Viksit Delhi” roadmap, focusing on Yamuna rejuvenation, clean transport, and healthcare. Telangana’s CM Revanth Reddy outlined “Telangana Rising 2047”, while Punjab’s CM Bhagwant Mann sought industrial packages for border districts. However, non-BJP states like Tamil Nadu raised concerns over resource allocation, with MK Stalin urging non-discriminatory cooperation. The absence of states like Bihar and West Bengal sparked political buzz.
Role of NITI Aayog
Fostering Cooperative Federalism
NITI Aayog was tasked with studying state suggestions in areas like agriculture, education, women empowerment, and cyber security. The meeting, a milestone in NITI Aayog’s 10-year journey, reinforced its role as a platform for cooperative federalism, with 31 out of 36 states and UTs participating, the highest-ever attendance.
Key Highlights
- Event Date: Held on May 24, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Theme: “Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047”, emphasizing state contributions to a developed India.
- Operation Sindoor: Unanimously supported for its targeted strikes against terror infrastructure.
- Key Initiatives: Tourism development, ₹60,000 crore skilling scheme, and ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund.
- Exam Relevance: Crucial for understanding cooperative federalism, economic policies, and national security.