Chintan Shivir 2025 saw participation of Finance Departments from Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan

Deliberations during Chintan Shivir 2025 focused on ‘Just in Time’ flow of funds, Integrated Financial Management System and Public Financial Management System, use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government Processes, and appraisal/ approval process of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS)

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, organised a two-day ‘Chintan Shivir 2025’ in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, on 14^th & 15^th November, 2025. Apart from officers of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, the event witnessed participation of representatives as well as Finance Departments of the following States and Union Territory: Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan.

The Chintan Shivir was kickstarted with welcome speech by Additional Secretary (Personnel), Department of Expenditure Ms. Parama Sen followed by address by Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Shri V. Vualnam.

During the first day, deliberations focused on the present status & issues regarding ‘Just in Time’ flow of funds. In an interactive session followed by a presentation on the topic, suggestions were obtained from the States/UT on the fund flow mechanism for an in-sync, effective and collaborative approach of the fund flows. It was followed by a presentation of the Finance Department of the Government of Rajasthan on how its Integrated Financial Management System is working together with the Public Financial Management System and various fund flow mechanisms of the Central Government to achieve ‘Just in Time’ flow of funds. In another interactive session, a presentation was made by National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government processes. Various advantages and challenges on the use of AI in government processes were discussed at length. Various ways in which AI can be used effectively for decision making and policy formulation in the Government was also discussed. Subsequently, the officials broke away in four Groups for ‘Chintan’.

On the second day, deliberations were held with participating States/ UT on design and implementation issues of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) as the tenure of XV Finance Commission Cycle shall be ending on 31.03.2026 and that the XVI Finance Commission Cycle shall be commencing on 01.04.2026. Suggestions/ views of the States/ UT were also obtained in the wake of undergoing appraisal/ approval process of the CSSs ending on 31.03.2026 and requiring continuation beyond the XV FCC. It was followed by presentations by the four groups on diverse topics for bringing in evolving, unique and state-of-the-art thought processes through ‘Chintan’, to enhance functioning and outreach of the Government.

The Chintan Shivir 2025 concluded with concluding remarks of the Secretary, Department of Expenditure, followed by vote of thanks.

A special thanks was given to the participating States/ UT and the Government of Rajasthan for joining the Department of Expenditure in the Chintan Shivir.

Just in Time fund flow reforms: integrate IFMS and PFMS with AI for timely, accountable Centre-State financial transfers. Deliberations promoted Just in Time fund flow by integrating the Integrated Financial Management System with the Public Financial Management System to improve timely, synchronized Centre-State transfers and accountability. The session evaluated procedural bottlenecks, shared state practices for real-time reconciliation, and explored Artificial Intelligence applications for decision support. States/UTs also provided inputs on appraisal and approval processes for Centrally Sponsored Schemes requiring continuation beyond the current Finance Commission cycle, focusing on design, implementation and administrative transition issues.