FM Launched NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal

The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, launched the “NITI NCAER States Economic Forum” portal on April 1, 2025, in New Delhi. Developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the portal serves as a comprehensive repository of data on various social, economic, and fiscal parameters for states across India. This initiative aims to provide a data-driven approach for informed policy decisions, especially in managing state finances. The portal contains information spanning over 30 years, from 1990-91 to 2022-23, offering a wealth of knowledge on state finances, revenue generation, debt management, and fiscal interventions.

Key Highlights

Portal Development

• The portal was developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with NCAER.
• It houses data on fiscal, social, and economic parameters of states in India from 1990-91 to 2022-23.

Purpose and Benefits

• Provides authentic data on state finances, helping states manage debts and raise revenues effectively.
• Facilitates learning from peer experiences for making informed policy decisions.
• Offers a platform for greater engagement and collaboration between states.
• Assists states in balancing revenue generation without placing undue burden on citizens.

Key Stakeholders’ Remarks

• Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance Minister): The forum will aid states in making meaningful interventions and improving fiscal management. She emphasized the importance of balancing public finances.
• Dr. Poonam Gupta (Director General, NCAER): Highlighted the diverse fiscal paths of states and the necessity of comprehensive data for informed decision-making.
• Shri BVR Subrahamanyam (CEO, NITI Aayog): Stated that the forum will help in increasing fiscal awareness and provide a valuable resource for long-term policy development.
• Suman K Bery (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog): Underlined the importance of the portal in driving data-driven research, particularly in public finance management.

Long-Term Impact

• The portal will serve as a permanent asset for India, aiding states in their fiscal policy development and strengthening public finance management through data transparency.