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Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation | NITI Aayog | Ministry of Planning
In a response to Rajya Sabha written question, the government mentioned that the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) is functioning as as the primary performance evaluation system for all Government of India schemes. Coordinated by the Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog, the framework tracks the progress of Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) through predefined key performance indicators. This data-driven approach enables Ministries and Departments to review scheme effectiveness and take corrective actions to improve implementation strategies and delivery mechanisms.
Strategic Pillars of the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework The framework is built upon several institutional and operational pillars to ensure parliamentary accountability:
Mandatory Parliamentary Reporting: For schemes with an annual outlay of ₹500 crore or more, the OOMF is laid before Parliament alongside the Union Budget as the “Outcome Budget”. For schemes with an outlay below this threshold, the framework is submitted with the Detailed Demand for Grants.
Institutional Coordination and Tracking: The Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office (DMEO) works directly with individual Ministries and Departments to prepare annual OOMF documents. These departments are responsible for tracking the specific targets and real-time progress of both “outputs” (what is created) and “outcomes” (the resulting impact).
Evaluation-Led Strengthening: Beyond routine tracking, Ministries are guided by findings from independent evaluation study reports. These reports provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the design and delivery of schemes, ensuring they remain relevant to citizen needs.
What is the “Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework” (OOMF)? The OOMF is a formal performance monitoring system that shifts the focus of government spending from “outlays” (how much money was spent) to “outcomes” (what actual results were achieved). It provides a standardized template for every ministry to define what they intend to achieve and provides the data needed for Parliament to hold them accountable for those targets. By linking financial outlays to measurable physical outputs and qualitative outcomes, the OOMF ensures that public funds are utilized effectively to drive social and economic change.
Policy Relevance
The OOMF represents a transition from budgetary accounting to result-oriented governance. By institutionalizing the OOMF as a mandatory parliamentary document, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation is ensuring that every rupee of taxpayer money is linked to a measurable developmental goal.
Strategic Impact:
Improving Scheme Design: The integration of evaluation reports allows policymakers to pivot implementation strategies in real-time based on what is working on the ground.
Transparency in Public Spending: Laying the OOMF alongside the Union Budget provides the public and policymakers with a clear roadmap of the expected impact of national expenditures.
Strengthening Federal Monitoring: For Centrally Sponsored Schemes, the OOMF provides a standardized lens for the Center and States to monitor progress across diverse regional contexts.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Real-time tracking of performance indicators prevents “information silos,” allowing the government to reallocate resources to schemes that demonstrate high outcome-to-outlay efficiency.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Planning integrate ‘Sovereign AI’ tools into the OOMF to automate the tracking of outcomes for 100+ high-outlay schemes by 2028?
Follow the full news here: Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework