Five Year Plans of India – Complete Summary with Key Facts & Timeline

🧭 Introduction to Five Year Plans (FYP)

India’s economic planning began in 1947, implemented through Five Year Plans (FYPs) to promote long-term government strategies for economic development.

  • First Plan Launched: 1951
  • Model: Based on the Soviet Union’s model
  • Purpose: Economic development through planned resource utilization

🎯 Objectives of Five Year Plans

  • Short-Term Objective: Efficient use of resources
  • Long-Term Objectives:
    • High growth rate
    • Economic stability
    • Self-reliance
    • Reduction of inequalities
    • Modernization

πŸ›οΈ Planning Commission of India

  • Established: 15 March 1950
  • First Chairman: Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Reported to: Prime Minister
  • Dissolved: 17 August 2014
  • Replaced by: NITI Aayog on 1 January 2015

🧱 History and Milestones

  • Planning Commission Established: 15 March 1950
  • First Five Year Plan Started: 1 April 1951
  • National Development Council (NDC): Established on 6 August 1952
  • NITI Aayog Formed: 1 January 2015

πŸ“˜ Summary of Five Year Plans

PlanYearsGrowth Target / ActualPrime MinisterKey Focus / Slogan
1st1951–562.1% / 3.6%NehruAgriculture, irrigation, energy, price stability
2nd1956–614.5% / 4.2%NehruRapid industrialization (Mahalanobis Model)
3rd1961–665.6% / 2.8%NehruSelf-reliance, heavy industries, agriculture
Plan Holiday1966–69β€”Indira GandhiAnnual Plans due to war, drought, inflation
4th1969–745.7% / 3.3%Indira GandhiGrowth with stability, self-reliance, DPAP
5th1974–784.4% / 4.8%Indira GandhiGaribi Hatao, Minimum Needs Programme
Rolling Plan1978–80β€”Morarji DesaiAnnual plans; continued previous programs
6th1980–855.2% / 5.5%Indira GandhiGaribi Hatao Phase II, poverty eradication
7th1985–905.0% / 6.0%Rajiv GandhiProductivity, social justice, modernization
8th1992–975.6% / 6.8%P. V. Narasimha RaoLPG reforms, human development
9th1997–20026.5% / 5.5%A. B. VajpayeeGrowth with social justice, rural employment
10th2002–078.0% / 7.6%Vajpayee / Manmohan SinghInclusive growth, reduce poverty
11th2007–129.0% / 8.0%Manmohan SinghFaster and more inclusive growth
12th2012–178.0% / ~7.0%Manmohan SinghFaster, sustainable, inclusive growth

βš™οΈ Key Concepts & Reforms

πŸ”„ Structural Adjustment Policies

  • Introduced before 8th Plan (1992–97)
  • Triggered by 1991 economic crisis
  • Led to Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization (LPG reforms)

πŸ”­ Perspective Plan

  • 20-year vision beyond five-year cycles
  • Guides overall development direction

🌍 Global Financial Crisis (2008)

  • Affected 11th Plan
  • India responded with stimulus packages and increased public spending

🧾 Quote on Poverty & Inequality

  • Found in 1st Five Year Plan
  • Emphasis on land reforms and agricultural development

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