Introduction:
The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was a poverty alleviation program launched by the Government of India. It aimed to uplift the rural poor by providing them with income-generating assets and promoting self-employment opportunities. The program was implemented during the Five-Year Plans, which are comprehensive development plans designed to address various socio-economic issues in India.

Explanation:
The IRDP was initiated during the Fifth Five-Year Plan period in India. The Five-Year Plans are formulated by the Planning Commission of India, with the objective of achieving balanced and sustainable development across different sectors of the economy.

Key Points:
Here are some key points to understand why IRDP was started during the Fifth Five-Year Plan:

1. Need for Rural Development: The primary objective of IRDP was to address the issue of rural poverty and promote rural development. It aimed to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the rural poor by providing them with income-generating assets and creating self-employment opportunities.

2. Focus on Agriculture and Rural Sectors: The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979) emphasized the development of the agricultural and rural sectors. It recognized the importance of rural development in achieving overall economic growth and reducing poverty. The IRDP was one of the key programs initiated during this plan to promote rural development.

3. Targeting the Rural Poor: The IRDP specifically targeted the rural poor, including landless laborers, small and marginal farmers, and rural artisans. It aimed to provide them with productive assets such as land, livestock, or tools, along with financial assistance, technical guidance, and training for their utilization.

4. Components of IRDP: The program included various components such as subsidy-based credit for asset creation, skill development and training, marketing support, and institutional arrangements for implementation and monitoring. It aimed to provide a comprehensive support system to the beneficiaries for their sustainable development.

5. Impact and Evaluation: The IRDP faced several challenges and criticisms in its implementation, including issues related to targeting, loan recovery, and the long-term impact on poverty reduction. Subsequently, the program underwent modifications and was restructured into other poverty alleviation programs in later Five-Year Plans.

Conclusion:
The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was started in India during the Fifth Five-Year Plan. It was a significant initiative to address rural poverty and promote the overall development of the rural poor. Although the program faced challenges, it laid the foundation for subsequent poverty alleviation programs and highlighted the importance of rural development in India's socio-economic progress.