India had a series of 12 Five-Year Plans from 1951 to 2017 (with each plan providing a national development program structured for five years). Five-Year Plans were an important part of Indian economic planning, until the Planning Commission (which is now called NITI Aayog) was dissolved in 2015 and replaced by NITI Aayog. The Five-Year Plans intended to promote economic growth, poverty alleviation, and self-reliance. They focused on a multi-sectoral planning process, involved topics including agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
Particular characteristics of India’s Five-Year Plans:
- Centralized Planning: The plans were developed and executed by the government, with the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) as the regulatory body.
- Multiple Stakeholders: While primarily government driven, the planning process involved multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, civil sector, and the general public.
- Budget Subdivisions: The central and state government budgets are divided into a non-plan (routine expenses) budget and a plan budget (for projects funded by government).
- Focus on Development: A specific goal of the Five-Year Plans was to look at critical development issues, including poverty, sanitation, health, education, and literacy.
- Specific Goals: Each Five-Year Plan would contain priorities, including; first plan implement agriculture growth; second plan build heavy industries; and third plan move toward self-reliance.
- Rolling Plans: Some plans, like the Sixth Five-Year Plan were rolling plans, and regularly revised each year.
- NITI Aayog: In 2015, the Planning Commission was dissolved and replaced by NITI Aayog, which now focuses on producing and implementing strategic and long-term policies and programs.
Timeline of Five-Year Plans:
| Plan | Years | Key Features/Objectives |
| First | 1951-1956 | Promote agricultural growth, establish basic industries |
| Second | 1956-1961 | Establish heavy industries and industrialize the country |
| Third | 1961-1966 | Achieve self-reliance in food and industry |
| Plan Holiday | 1966-1969 | Period of no formal plan |
| Fourth | 1969-1974 | Achieve growth with social justice |
| Fifth | 1974-1978 | Remove poverty and achieve self-reliance |
| Rolling Plan | 1978-1980 | Flexibility in planning |
| Seventh | 1985-1990 | Focus on self-reliance and achieving a high growth rate |
| Eighth | 1992-1997 | Modernization of industries and infrastructure development |
| Ninth | 1997-2002 | Achieve a higher growth rate and improve human development |
| Tenth | 2002-2007 | Double per capita income in 10 years |
| Eleventh | 2007-2012 | Sustainable and inclusive growth |
| Twelfth | 2012-2017 | Focus on sustainable and inclusive growth |
