Ramesh Singh Test : Planning in India- 1 - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. The First Soviet Plan indeed commenced in 1928 and was designed for a five-year period, making it the first example of national planning in the world.

- Statement 2: This statement is also correct. The Visvesvaraya Plan emphasized industrialization by shifting labor from agriculture to industries and aimed to double the national income within a decade.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The National Planning Committee (NPC) was actually set up in 1938 under the chairmanship of J.L. Nehru, not in 1934 and not under Subhash C. Bose, although Bose played a significant role in its establishment.

Thus, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

The Bombay Plan, a significant economic development proposal for India, was crafted by a group of eight prominent capitalists. These individuals included Purshotamdas Thakurdas, J.R.D. Tata, G.D. Birla, Lala Sri Ram, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, A.D. Shroff, Avdeshir Dalai, and John Mathai. Their collaborative effort aimed to outline a strategic roadmap for the economic progress of India during that period.

The key difference between the NDC and the Governing Council (GC) of the Niti Aayog lies in the membership structure. Unlike the NDC where members were also part of the Planning Commission, the members of the GC were not part of the Niti Aayog. This distinction highlights a strategic shift in the composition and functioning of these bodies, reflecting evolving perspectives towards economic planning and governance.

All three statements provided are correct based on the information given:

1. Statement 1: The Bombay Plan, indeed prepared by a cross-section of India's leading capitalists, was published in 1944-45. This plan was titled "A Plan of Economic Development for India" and involved eight prominent industrialists.

2. Statement 2: The Gandhian Plan, formulated by Sriman Narayan Agarwal in 1944, emphasized a decentralised economic structure with self-contained villages. It prioritized agriculture and small, cottage industries, reflecting Gandhian principles.

3. Statement 3: The People's Plan, created by M.N. Roy in 1945, was based on Marxist socialism. It equally highlighted both agricultural and industrial sectors and focused on providing the basic necessities of life to the people.

Thus, the correct answer is Option D.

Statement I correctly highlights the historical context of central planning in India, mentioning the launch of three central plans with specific objectives and timeframes. This information aligns with the details provided in the text regarding the First to Twelfth Five-Year Plans.
Statement II accurately describes the Twenty Point Programme (TPP) as a Central Plan aimed at enhancing the quality of life in rural areas through a variety of schemes. This program was launched in 1975 with a focus on poverty alleviation, employment generation, education, and other aspects of rural development.
While both statements are factually correct in their respective contexts, they represent different initiatives within the realm of central planning in India and do not directly explain each other. Statement I discusses the historical evolution of central planning through various Five-Year Plans, while Statement II specifically focuses on the TPP and its objectives. Therefore, the correct answer is option (b).

1. The Bombay Plan – J.R.D. Tata: Correct. J.R.D. Tata was one of the eight industrialists involved in the Bombay Plan.

2. The Gandhian Plan – Sriman Narayan Agarwal: Correct. The Gandhian Plan was indeed formulated by Sriman Narayan Agarwal in 1944.

3. The People's Plan – Jayaprakash Narayan: Incorrect. The People's Plan was formulated by M.N. Roy, not Jayaprakash Narayan.

4. The Sarvodaya Plan – M.N. Roy: Incorrect. The Sarvodaya Plan was published by Jayaprakash Narayan, not M.N. Roy.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct. Statement-II explains Statement-I as the Visvesvarava Plan, proposed by M. Visvesvaraya, aimed at industrialization and increasing national income, aligning with the recommendation by FICCI for comprehensive economic planning in India. The FICCI's call for a national planning commission reflects the need for structured economic development, supporting the goals of the Visvesvarava Plan. Thus, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II provides context to Statement-I.

M. Visvesvaraya, a renowned civil engineer and former Dewan of the Mysore state, is credited with proposing the first blueprint of Indian planning. His ideas centered on democratic capitalism with a focus on industrialization and doubling the national income within a decade. This proposal marked a significant step towards structured economic development in India.

1. Poverty Alleviation - Several programmes launched before Independence: Incorrect. Poverty alleviation became a major focus after independence, with several programs directed towards this cause being launched post-independence, not before it.

2. Self-reliance - Defined as avoiding economic imperialism: Correct. Self-reliance in the context of Indian planning was about avoiding economic imperialism and not about autarchy.

3. Modernisation - Immediate inclusion of modern methods in agriculture: Correct. Modernisation, particularly in agriculture, was a key objective, focusing on the immediate inclusion of modern methods and techniques.

4. Planning Commission - Established by a Cabinet Resolution in 1950: Correct. The Planning Commission was indeed established by a Cabinet Resolution in March 1950.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option C: Only three pairs.

Statement-I accurately reflects the historical context by mentioning the National Planning Committee's report in 1949 emphasizing the need for 'Economic and Social Planning'. Statement-II correctly states the establishment of the Planning Commission in March 1950 and its role in assessing the country's resources and formulating plans. While both statements are factually correct, they address different aspects of India's planning history and do not directly explain or elaborate on each other, hence Option B is the correct choice.