Five Year Plans in IndiaFive Year Plans in India

The foundational decades focusing on agriculture, rapid industrialization, and self-reliance.

• First Five Year Plan (1951-56): Based on the Harrod-Domar Model. Main focus was on agriculture, irrigation, and power projects. Multipurpose dams like Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud, and Damodar Valley were initiated. Achieved a growth rate of 3.6% against the target of 2.1%.
• Second Five Year Plan (1956-61): Based on the Mahalanobis Model (PC Mahalanobis). Focused on rapid industrialization and heavy industries. Steel plants at Rourkela, Bhilai, and Durgapur were established with foreign collaboration. Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956 was adopted.
• Third Five Year Plan (1961-66): Targeted self-reliant and self-generating economy. Suffered severe setbacks due to the Sino-Indian War (1962), Indo-Pak War (1965), and severe drought (1965-66). Led to the introduction of Green Revolution inputs and Devaluation of the Rupee (1966).
• Plan Holiday (1966-69): Due to the failure of the Third Plan, three Annual Plans were executed. High priority was given to agriculture, allied activities, and industrial production stabilization.
• Fourth Five Year Plan (1969-74): Based on Gadgil Formula. Emphasized 'Growth with Stability' and 'Progressive Achievement of Self-Reliance'. 14 major commercial banks were nationalized (1969), and the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan was coined.

Marked by poverty removal, emergency governance, rolling plans, economic liberalization, and human development.

• Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-79): Focused on 'Removal of Poverty' (Garibi Hatao) and 'Attainment of Self-Reliance'. Drafted by D.P. Dhar. Terminated one year early in 1978 by the newly elected Janata Party government, introducing the 'Rolling Plan' concept.
• Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85): Marked the beginning of economic liberalization. Focused on economic growth, elimination of poverty, and technological self-reliance. NABARD was established in 1982 based on the Shivaraman Committee recommendations.
• Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90): Emphasized food, work, and productivity. Guided by the philosophy of generating employment and modernizing industry. JRY (Jawahar Rozgar Yojana) was launched in 1989.
• Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97): Delayed by two years (1990-92) due to political instability and BOP crisis. Focused on Human Resource Development as the core objective. Manmohan Singh's New Economic Policy (1991) (LPG reforms) formed its bedrock.
• Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002): Launched during India's 50th year of independence. Focused on 'Growth with Social Justice and Equity'. Emphasized active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions in local governance.

The final phase of 5-year planning focusing on inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, and cooperative federalism.

• Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07): Targeted an 8% GDP growth rate. Focused on reducing poverty by 15% by 2012 and providing gainful employment. Introduced state-wise performance tracking (Socio-Economic targets).
• Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12): Theme: 'Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth'. Prepared by C. Rangarajan. Focused on agricultural revival, infrastructure development, education, and reduction of gender inequality.
• Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17): Theme: 'Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive Growth'. Targeted 8.2% annual growth rate. This was the final Five Year Plan before the Planning Commission was wound up.
• Establishment of NITI Aayog (2015): Formed on Jan 1, 2015, replacing the top-down Planning Commission with a bottom-up approach emphasizing 'Cooperative Federalism'. Prime Minister acts as Chairperson, with a full-time Vice-Chairperson and CEO.