PM Modi to Chair NITI Meet on Startups, Skilling, Green Growth

The stage is set for a high-level policy push as Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog on May 24 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The meeting, themed ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’, is expected to bring together India’s top leadership to align Centre and States on a common roadmap to make India a developed country by 2047.

This year’s session comes with an expanded focus on building robust state-level development plans that are inclusive, sustainable, and employment-oriented. With startups, skilling, green growth, and economic decentralisation high on the agenda, the meeting will set the tone for strategic policy implementation at the grassroots level.

Chaired by the Prime Minister, the Governing Council will include Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, Union Ministers, and senior officials from NITI Aayog. The gathering is widely seen as the apex policy forum for cooperative federalism, enabling direct dialogue between the Centre and the States.

Key Themes: Entrepreneurship, Skilling, Green Growth

Among the core issues slated for discussion are strategies to promote entrepreneurship and generate employment across urban and rural India. A specific emphasis will be placed on fostering growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through the creation of resilient manufacturing and services ecosystems.

With India’s young population entering the workforce in large numbers, states will be encouraged to develop localized skilling programs and startup incentives aligned with national economic goals. These efforts are seen as critical to turning India’s demographic advantage into a long-term development asset.

Sources indicate that the council will also deliberate on enabling policies to strengthen infrastructure in emerging cities, improve access to capital and training for MSMEs, and support startups in both the formal and informal sectors. Rural non-farm employment, often overlooked, will be another focal point of discussion.

Push for a State-Led Growth Model

The meeting aims to empower states to lead India’s development narrative by leveraging their unique demographic and geographic strengths. The idea is to move beyond one-size-fits-all policies and promote region-specific strategies that deliver impact at the ground level.

A key part of the meeting will involve the sharing of state-level best practices that have successfully supported small enterprises and job creation. This knowledge exchange is expected to encourage replication of successful models in other regions.

The recommendations from the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, held in December 2024, will serve as a foundation for this session’s agenda. Six thematic priorities identified then will be central to the discussions:

1. Creating manufacturing ecosystems in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities

2. Strengthening services sector in smaller urban centres

3. Expanding rural MSMEs and non-farm employment

4. Addressing challenges in the urban informal sector

5. Unlocking opportunities in the renewable energy sector

6. Promoting circular economy models for sustainability

Green Economy and Circular Innovation on the Agenda

Sustainability will be a cross-cutting theme in this year’s deliberations. States are expected to present ideas on how they plan to transition to green growth models, including renewable energy, waste-to-wealth innovations, and circular economy initiatives. For startups and businesses in the climate-tech space, the outcome of this meeting could lead to more proactive policy and institutional support.

In recent years, India’s startup ecosystem has shown increased interest in climate and sustainability sectors, and state support through policy, procurement, and infrastructure could significantly accelerate innovation in this space.

A Platform for Consensus-Building and Reform

This will be the first full Governing Council meeting of 2025. The previous session took place on July 27, 2024. Since its inception in 2015, the Governing Council of NITI Aayog has functioned as a platform for collaborative policymaking between the Centre and States, particularly on long-term developmental priorities.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to urge states to step up progress on critical national missions, especially in areas that require rapid scaling—entrepreneurship, employment, digital governance, and sustainability.

Shaping the Next Phase of Growth

With India aiming to become a developed nation by 2047, the Governing Council meeting comes at a decisive juncture. The discussions on May 24 could shape key reforms in infrastructure, skill development, MSME growth, and sustainability—areas that directly impact the country’s startup ecosystem.

As states take centre stage in driving innovation and inclusive growth, the message is clear: the journey to Viksit Bharat will be built on the shoulders of Viksit Rajya. The outcomes of this meeting will be closely watched by entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers alike as India continues its push towards a more resilient and inclusive economy.