Class 12 Political Science - CBSE
Politics of Planned Development
The chapter Politics of Planned Development explores India's journey after independence in choosing a path for economic growth. It covers the major debate between the socialist model of state-led planning and the capitalist model, the establishment of the Planning Commission in 1950, and the formulation of the First Five Year Plans. Students learn about the Bombay Plan, the agricultural focus of the First Plan, the rapid industrialization push in the Second Plan led by P.C. Mahalanobis, and the controversies surrounding large dams like Hirakud and Bhakra Nangal. For CBSE board exams, understanding these foundational economic choices is vital as they shape modern India's socio-economic landscape.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Planning Commission
A body established in March 1950 by the Government of India through a cabinet resolution to draft the country's Five Year Plans, which was later replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015.
Bombay Plan
A joint proposal put forward by a section of big industrialists in 1944 for a ₹10,000 crore economic plan that advocated for massive state intervention in building basic industries and infrastructure.
First Five Year Plan
Launched in December 1951, this plan primarily focused on the agricultural sector, land reforms, and tackling immediate post-partition food shortages, led by economist K.N. Raj.
Second Five Year Plan
Formulated in 1956 under the leadership of P.C. Mahalanobis, this plan shifted focus heavily towards rapid industrialization and the development of heavy public sector industries.
Mahalanobis Model
A planning model developed by Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis that emphasized building capital goods industries as the core strategy for long-term economic growth and self-reliance.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In CBSE Class 12 Political Science (Part A: Contemporary World Politics / Politics in India Since Independence), this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions frequently appear as 1-mark MCQs, 2-mark short answers, or 4/6-mark analytical questions comparing the First and Second Five Year Plans or discussing the debate between agriculture versus industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main difference between the First and Second Five Year Plans?
The First Plan focused heavily on agriculture, land reforms, and irrigation to solve food shortages, whereas the Second Plan shifted priorities to rapid industrialization and heavy industries based on the Mahalanobis model.
Who was P.C. Mahalanobis and what was his contribution?
P.C. Mahalanobis was a renowned Indian statistician and founder of the Indian Statistical Institute who formulated the strategy for India's Second Five Year Plan, emphasizing heavy industries for self-reliance.
Why was the Planning Commission replaced by NITI Aayog?
The Planning Commission was perceived as centralized and rigid, unable to meet the dynamic needs of a modern federal economy. NITI Aayog was created in 2015 to foster cooperative federalism and involve states actively in policy-making.
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