Overview Of The Five-Year Plans
| Plan | Duration | Focus Areas | Key Achievements |
|---|
| First Plan | 1951-1956 | Agriculture, irrigation, and food security | Increased food grain production, major dams built |
| Second Plan | 1956-1961 | Industrialisation, heavy industries | Establishment of steel plants, rapid industrial growth |
| Third Plan | 1961-1966 | Self-reliance, economic independence | Growth hindered by wars and droughts |
| Fourth Plan | 1969-1974 | Stability, self-reliance, Green Revolution | Nationalisation of banks, agricultural advancements |
| Fifth Plan | 1974-1978 | Poverty eradication, employment generation | The Garibi Hatao initiative increased rural employment |
| Sixth Plan | 1980-1985 | Economic liberalisation, technology growth | National income rises, and energy sector growth |
| Seventh Plan | 1985-1990 | Industrial modernisation, social justice | Expansion of the health and education sectors |
| Eighth Plan | 1992-1997 | Economic reforms, human resource development | Liberalisation, IT and the service sector boom |
| Ninth Plan | 1997-2002 | Growth with equity, rural development | Women's empowerment, agricultural improvements |
| Tenth Plan | 2002-2007 | Sustainable growth, poverty reduction | Doubling of per capita income, higher literacy rates |
| Eleventh Plan | 2007-2012 | Inclusive growth, regional balance | Expansion of higher education, environmental policies |
| Twelfth Plan | 2012-2017 | Sustainable and inclusive economic growth | Infrastructure growth, focus on health and education |
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First Five-Year Plan (1951-1956)
The First Five-Year Plan(pehli panchvarshik yojana) mainly concentrated its focus on farming activities and food production, along with irrigation efforts. Following independence, the country dealt with food deficits, so major investments were allocated for building the Bhakra Nangal and Hirakud dams. After the partition, economic stability was achieved by a successful plan which raised food production levels.
Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961)
The Second Plan(dusri panchvarshik yojana), as led by economist P.C. Mahalanobis, made heavy industry and quick industrialisation its main objectives. The major public sector enterprises established key steel plants throughout India at Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur. The plan became instrumental for India's industrial development, although it produced serious price inflation.
Third Five-Year Plan (1961-1966)
The Third Plan aimed for economic self-reliance by emphasising education along with agriculture and the development of industries. Indian economic growth slowed down after the Indo-China (1962) and Indo-Pakistan (1965) wars, combined with extensive droughts in the country. The adverse consequences demanded that India seek financial help from overseas sources.
Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-1974)
The main goal of this plan was to boost agricultural capabilities to reach self-sufficiency. The introduction of high-yielding variety seeds, known as HYV seeds, served as a major element of the Green Revolution to produce more food grains. Bank nationalisation occurred to ensure that rural areas receive credit distribution. The success of the plan was negatively impacted by the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, together with the subsequent inflation crisis.
Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1978)
During Indira Gandhi's rule, the government started the Fifth Plan with its slogan being "Garibi Hatao" (Eradicate Poverty). The plan devoted its efforts to poverty elimination, together with employment growth and energy resources development. The plan generated new employment opportunities until the Janata government took over in 1978, causing its early discontinuation.
Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-1985)
Indira Gandhi brought back the Sixth Five-Year Plan when she regained power by emphasising economic liberalisation, together with technology advancement and energy generation. The power sector and telecom infrastructure underwent growth and expansion during this phase, which established the basis for upcoming development. The government established both the National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) as well as programmes to create employment opportunities.
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Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985-1990)
The government implemented the Satvi Panchvarshik Yojana or Plan during Rajiv Gandhi's administration for the advancement of industrial modernisation alongside self-sufficiency and social justice. A major portion of budgetary funds went toward science and technology as well as educational development. The software and computer revolution started during this time, which led to the system that would fuel India's IT industry expansion.
Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992-1997)
Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao implemented liberalisation and economic reforms, which brought India through a significant economic crisis in 1991. The plan directed national resources toward privatisation as well as globalisation alongside foreign direct investment (FDI). The IT sector, along with the service industry, experienced explosive growth, which made India a significant force in global economic markets.
Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002)
Sustainable development, together with women's empowerment efforts and rural infrastructure, remained the main focus of this plan. The government of India launched PMGSY, which aimed to develop roads in rural communities. Through the plan, the government adopted measures for social welfare support along with environmental conservation initiatives.
Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-2007)
Double per capita income was the primary objective of the Tenth Plan, while poverty reduction and education and health received major focus. Several employment and social security schemes, including the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), started to enhance education standards in the nation. The average economic development rate during this time reached approximately 7-8 per cent.
Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-2012)
The main objective of the Eleventh Plan revolved around attaining “Faster and More Inclusive Growth.” Programmes spent more money on healthcare as well as education, combined with skill development initiatives. Both the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) received a larger investment scope, and India established higher educational bodies such as IITs and IIMs.
Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-2017)
The last Five-Year Plan of India worked towards establishing economic growth that combined sustainability with inclusivity. The programme focused on constructing basic infrastructure together with employment development and rural welfare. The establishment of NITI Aayog in 2015 marked the termination of Five-Year Plans, which led to a policy-driven system for economic planning in India.
