Deputy Chief Minister Planning & Transformation and National Highways, TR Zeliang inaugurated the Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT) office building at Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on March 13.
Speaking at the launch programme, TR Zeliang said that the establishment of the Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT) marks a significant milestone in strengthening institutional capacity for strategic planning, policy innovation, and development monitoring in Nagaland. NIoT has been envisioned as a think tank and knowledge hub for the State Government that will support evidence base policymaking, monitor key development programmes and help align the State’s priorities with national development goals, he said.
Zeliang noted that in a rapidly evolving development landscape, governments must rely on robust data systems, research driven policies and coordinated action to ensure effective governance. He added that institutions like NIoT will play an important role in shaping the future trajectory of the State, particularly as the country works towards the vision of a developed India by 2047. Through research, data analytics, and policy support, the institute will assist the government in designing innovative and impactful development strategies, Zeliang added.
The Deputy CM also commended the Planning and Transformation Department and all stakeholders involved in establishing the institute, expressing confidence that the institute will contribute significantly towards inclusive and sustainable development in Nagaland.
John Borgoyary, UNDP Regional Head in giving a brief introduction of NIoT emphasized the importance of long-term planning and effective implementation of development vision documents. He noted that while governments often prepare vision documents, they are rarely revisited for implementation.
Borgoyary stressed that once a vision is established, it must be consistently referred to and followed step by step to achieve the intended goals. Highlighting the ongoing work on the State’s development roadmap towards 2047, he said a team of consultants is working on preparing digital documents for the State’s long-term vision, which will be crucial in guiding future development strategies. He also underscored the significance of integrating planning with transformation, stating that the Planning and Transformation Department reflects the State Government’s commitment to forward-looking governance. He concluded by encouraging the officers, experts, and members of NIoT to collaborate and contribute their expertise in refining the State’s vision documents so as to help advance inclusive and sustainable development in Nagaland.
Development Commissioner Nagaland, Temsunaro Aier, IAS, in her address emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultations in preparing the State’s Vision 2047 document. She informed that consultations would be held across districts involving various stakeholders, officers, and sections of society to contribute inputs for the Vision 2047 roadmap.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Aier further requested the Deputy Commissioners and district officials to actively cooperate with the team by sharing relevant data and insights from their respective districts to support the preparation of the long-term development vision for the State.
The Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT) established in January 2026 under Department of Planning and Transformation, is a specialized institutional mechanism supported by NITI Aayog under its State Support Mission (SSM). It has been created to design and drive development strategies for the State by leveraging expertise from knowledge institutions, development partners, multilateral agencies, civil society organizations, and academia both within and outside Nagaland.
The Institute also aims to strengthen the Monitoring and Evaluation ecosystem and enhance data analytics systems to promote evidence-based planning, data-driven governance, and informed policy formulation in the State.
Among those present at the launching program were MLA, Dr. Tseilhoutuo Routso; Home Commissioner, Abhijit Sinha; Additional Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner, V Shashank Shekhar, IAS; Deputy Commissioners; officials from the Planning and Transformation Department and members of the Nagaland Institute of Transformation.
