Five Year Plans in India – Timeline, Objectives & Key Features
The Five Year Plan is a structured economic strategy adopted by India to drive growth across key sectors like agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. Essential for class 12 economics, UPSC, and CA Foundation exams, understanding Five Year Plan concepts improves your grasp of economic planning, reforms, and their impact on everyday life and business.
| Plan Number | Years | Main Focus | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1951–1956 | Agriculture, Irrigation | Based on Harrod-Domar Model, IITs, UGC formed |
| Second | 1956–1961 | Industrialization, Public Sector | Mahalanobis Model, Steel Plants, Mixed Economy |
| Third | 1961–1966 | Self-Reliance, Wheat Production | Wars (1962, 1965), Drought, Gadgil Yojna |
| Plan Holiday | 1966–1969 | Annual Plans | Three annual plans, due to failures/drought/wars |
| Fourth | 1969–1974 | Growth with Stability, Self-Reliance | Bank Nationalization, Family Planning, Indo-Pak War |
| Fifth | 1974–1978 | Poverty Removal, Employment | Garibi Hatao, National Highways, Terminated Early |
| Rolling Plan | 1978–1980 | Annual Rolling Plans | Short-term focus, Janata Party rule |
| Sixth | 1980–1985 | Liberalization Initiatives | NABARD established, Technology, Modernization Drive |
| Seventh | 1985–1990 | Self-Sufficiency, Social Justice | Blue Revolution, Jawahar Rojgar Yojana |
| Annual Plans | 1990–1992 | Annual Planning (Instability Period) | Due to changing economics, pre-reforms period |
| Eighth | 1992–1997 | Human Resource, Economic Modernisation | Liberalisation, WTO Entry |
| Ninth | 1997–2002 | Growth with Equality | Focus on Social Justice, SAPs introduced |
| Tenth | 2002–2007 | Double Per Capita Income | Growth Target: 8% |
| Eleventh | 2007–2012 | Inclusive, Rapid Growth | Human Development, Education Focus |
| Twelfth | 2012–2017 | Inclusive, Sustainable Growth | NITI Aayog replaced Planning Commission, End of plan era |
What Are Five Year Plans?
Five Year Plans were centralized economic plans prepared by India’s Planning Commission from 1951 to 2017. Each plan outlined social and economic priorities, guided government spending, and shaped sectoral reforms in agriculture, industry, and welfare. Understanding these plans is vital for competitive exams and business knowledge.
Objectives and Key Features of Five Year Plan in India
The main objectives of the Five Year Plan included economic growth, modernization, self-reliance, and social justice. The plans also addressed sectoral reforms, poverty reduction, employment, and infrastructure. Over time, themes evolved—from agriculture in the first plan to liberalization and sustainability in later plans.
Five Year Plan MCQs with Answers
Practice these important multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on Five Year Plan with answers to boost your exam confidence:
- Who was the last Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission?
Answer: Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia - When did the Twelfth Five Year Plan conclude?
Answer: 2017 - What replaced the Planning Commission in 2015?
Answer: NITI Aayog - Which plan is associated with the Mahalanobis Model?
Answer: Second Five Year Plan (1956–1961) - In which Five Year Plan did the Green Revolution start?
Answer: Fourth Five Year Plan (1969–1974) - Which Five Year Plan emphasized ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Poverty Removal)?
Answer: Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–1978) - Which plan introduced the Blue Revolution?
Answer: Seventh Five Year Plan (1985–1990) - Which plan period saw bank nationalization in India?
Answer: Fourth Five Year Plan (1969–1974) - Who implemented the First Five Year Plan in India?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru - Which plan ended the era of Five Year Planning in India?
Answer: Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012–2017)
Tips to Remember Five Year Plans and Their Features
- Remember the years in multiples of 5 (start from 1951).
- Link major reforms (e.g., Green Revolution, bank nationalization) to the respective plan number.
- Associate key economic models: Harrod-Domar (First), Mahalanobis (Second).
- Use mnemonics: e.g., "First = Farm (agriculture)," "Second = Steel (industry)."
- NITI Aayog marks the end of Five Year Plan era.
Practical Uses and Exam Relevance of Five Year Plan Concepts
Knowledge of Five Year Plan is important for exams such as CBSE Class 12, CA Foundation, and UPSC. It also helps in understanding the evolution of Indian economy and interpreting government budget and sectoral reforms. For more detail, see Indian Economy During Reforms.
Related Topics You Should Explore
- Government Budget and the Economy
- Sectors of Indian Economy
- Planning
- Poverty Alleviation Policies and Programs
- GDP and Welfare
- Sustainable Development
- Features of Indian Economy
- National Income
- Industrialization in India
- Role of Government in Economy
- Green Revolution
Downloadable Resources for MCQ Practice
Students preparing for school and competitive exams often want offline resources. You can download MCQs on Five Year Plan in PDF format from the Vedantu resource section (coming soon) to enable rapid practice and revision across devices.
In summary, the Five Year Plan has shaped India's economic journey, affecting agriculture, industry, and social sectors. Understanding the plans, their objectives, reforms, and outcomes is key for exams like CBSE Class 12, UPSC, and business understanding. Vedantu offers well-structured notes, MCQs, and expert explanations to support your Commerce preparation.
FAQs on Multiple Choice Questions on Five Year Plans in India
1. What is a Five Year Plan in India?
Five Year Plans in India were centralized government programs (1951-2014) aiming for economic growth and social development across various sectors. They set national targets for five-year periods, focusing on areas like agriculture, industry, and social welfare.
2. Which was the first Five Year Plan in India and when was it launched?
The First Five Year Plan was launched in 1951. Its main focus was on agricultural development, aiming to boost food production and rural infrastructure to improve the living standards.
3. Which Five Year Plan focused on industrial development?
The Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) prioritized industrial growth using the Mahalanobis Model, emphasizing heavy industries and infrastructure development. This model is associated with Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
4. Why were Five Year Plans stopped in India?
In 2015, the Planning Commission, responsible for implementing Five Year Plans, was replaced by the NITI Aayog. This shift reflected a move towards more decentralized, state-level planning and a focus on cooperative federalism.
5. Where can I get MCQs on Five Year Plans with answers?
You can find MCQs on Five Year Plans with answers in various resources, including educational websites and textbooks. Many educational platforms offer practice multiple-choice questions focused on Indian economic planning.
6. Which personality is associated with the Mahalanobis Model used in the Second Five Year Plan?
Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis is the key figure behind the Mahalanobis Model, a strategy used in the Second Five Year Plan to guide India's industrial development and growth.
7. How did wars affect the effectiveness of Five Year Plans in the 1960s?
The Sino-Indian War (1962) and the Indo-Pakistani War (1965) significantly impacted the Third Five Year Plan, diverting resources and disrupting economic progress. This period saw setbacks to many of the key objectives.
8. What institutional changes occurred after the Twelfth Five Year Plan?
Following the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog, marking a transition from centralized to more collaborative economic planning in India.
9. Which Five Year Plan saw the nationalization of major Indian banks?
The nationalization of major Indian banks occurred during the Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-1974), a key event aiming to enhance social justice and economic equality.
10. What were the highlights of the Seventh Five Year Plan?
The Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-1990) focused on self-reliance, social justice, and included notable programs such as the Blue Revolution (aquaculture) and Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (employment scheme).
11. What is the significance of the Green Revolution in the context of Five Year Plans?
The Green Revolution, significantly boosting agricultural productivity, was a key outcome across multiple Five Year Plans, particularly impacting food security and rural development. High-yielding variety (HYV) seeds were central to these advancements.
12. Which Five Year Plan is associated with the Green Revolution?
While the Green Revolution's impact spanned multiple plans, the Third, Fourth and Fifth Five Year Plans saw significant advancements thanks to the introduction of HYV seeds and increased irrigation, leading to improvements in agricultural output.
