On Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the “NITI NCAER States Economic Forum” portal in New Delhi. Developed by NITI Aayog in partnership with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the portal serves as a detailed database of state finances. It provides comprehensive information on social, economic, and fiscal indicators spanning from 1990-91 to 2022-23, as stated by NITI Aayog.

At the launch event, Sitharaman underlined the portal’s importance in providing reliable and easily accessible financial data for states. She explained that the platform would help states make informed policy decisions, enhance revenue management, and benefit from shared experiences with other states. She also underscored the importance of maintaining a balance in public finances, ensuring sufficient revenue generation without placing excessive burdens on citizens. 

NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal comprises four primary components. The State Reports provide a detailed overview of the macroeconomic and fiscal landscape of 28 Indian states, focusing on indicators such as demographics, economic structure, socio-economic factors, and fiscal data. The Data Repository offers access to a comprehensive database categorised into five verticals: Demography, Economic Structure, Fiscal, Health, and Education. The State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard presents graphical representations of key economic trends over time, allowing users to access raw data through a data appendix and explore additional insights via summary tables. Lastly, the Research and Commentary section draws from extensive studies on state finances, highlighting critical aspects of fiscal policy and financial management at both state and national levels.

Dr Poonam Gupta, Director General of NCAER, highlighted the importance of the portal in analysing the varied fiscal paths of different states. She emphasised that a centralised platform would enable policymakers to assess financial strategies more effectively and make informed decisions.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam praised the initiative as a crucial public knowledge resource that enhances fiscal awareness and learning among states. He also described the forum as a "permanent asset for the nation," supporting data-driven economic policymaking. Meanwhile, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K Bery highlighted that the forum marks an essential advancement in data-driven research, especially in the field of public finance management.