Niti Aayog, the central government’s apex public policy think tank, has acknowledged that it has not carried out any study or assessment on the fiscal sustainability or long-term economic consequences of such schemes introduced by state governments. The disclosure came in response to an RTI application filed by India Today, which sought information on whether Niti Aayog had analysed the financial impact of welfare sops and direct cash transfers announced by states. Its annual reports indicate that since 2022, the think tank has completed 34 studies and approved 32 new research projects. In reply, Niti Aayog referred to the Research Scheme of Niti Aayog (RSNA) guidelines available online. Under the RSNA 2021 framework, research topics may be either solicited by Niti Aayog in identified priority areas or proposed by external organisations.