| Financial clout | To be an advisory body, or a think-tank. The powers to allocate funds might be vested in the finance ministry | Enjoyed the powers to allocate funds to ministries and state governments |
| Full-time members | The number of full-time members could be fewer than Planning Commission | The last Commission had eight full-time members |
| States' role | State governments are expected to play a more significant role than they did in the Planning Commission | States' role was limited to the National Development Council and annual interaction during Plan meetings |
| Member secretary | To be known at the CEO and to be appointed by the prime minister | Secretaries or member secretaries were appointment through the usual process |
| Part-time members | To have a number of part-time members, depending on the need from time to time | Full Planning Commission had no provision for part-time members
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