Q10. Which NDC functions were recognised:
1 reviewing National Plan progress;
2 suggesting ways to achieve plan objectives;
3 laying down plan guidelines;
4 directly allocating planning funds?
[UPPSC Mains 2010]
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 2, 3 and 4 only
(C) 1, 2 and 4 only
(D) All four
Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The National Development Council reviewed plans and suggested guiding policies and improvements. Direct allocation of funds was not its defining role. Its purpose was coordination and participation between central and state governments on development goals.
Q9. During which Five-Year Plan did India experience the 1975 Emergency and the 1977 change of government?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2009]
(A) Third
(B) Fourth
(C) Fifth
(D) Sixth
Answer: (C) Fifth
Explanation: The Fifth Plan began in 1974. The National Emergency of 1975–77 and the election that brought the Janata Party to power occurred during that planning period, which the new government subsequently ended ahead of schedule.
Q8. Considering India’s development plans, did the Second Plan stress heavy industry and the Third Plan use import substitution as an industrial strategy?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2009]
(A) First statement only
(B) Second statement only
(C) Both statements
(D) Neither statement
Answer: (C) Both statements
Explanation: The Second Plan promoted major industries and domestic capital-goods capacity. The subsequent planning period also pursued self-reliance through import-substituting industry. These strategies aimed to reduce external dependence while expanding productive capacity in India.
Q7. Who was the first Chairman of the Planning Commission?
[Uttarakhand PCS Prelims 2006]
(A) M. Visvesvaraya
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) P. C. Mahalanobis
(D) John Mathai
Answer: (B) Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: The Planning Commission was established in 1950, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as its first Chairman. It provided the institutional basis for development planning and prepared national programmes intended to promote balanced economic growth.
Q6. Who chaired meetings of India’s former National Development Council?
[Uttarakhand PCS Prelims 2006]
(A) Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Union Finance Minister
(D) Vice-President
Answer: (B) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister presided over the National Development Council, a body established in 1952 to engage state leadership in development planning. Chief Ministers and Union representatives discussed the implementation and approval of major national plans.
Q5. On what date was India’s Planning Commission constituted?
[BPSC 47th Prelims 2005]
(A) 10 March 1950
(B) 15 March 1950
(C) 16 March 1951
(D) 20 March 1950
Answer: (B) 15 March 1950
Explanation: The Planning Commission was created through a Union Cabinet resolution on 15 March 1950. As a non-constitutional body, it assessed national resources, formulated Five-Year Plans and recommended development priorities under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister.
Q4. Which NDC functions were recognised:
1 reviewing National Plan progress;
2 suggesting ways to achieve plan objectives;
3 laying down plan guidelines;
4 directly allocating planning funds?
[UPPSC Mains 2005]
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 2, 3 and 4 only
(C) 1, 2 and 4 only
(D) All four
Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The National Development Council considered plan progress and helped guide national planning priorities while coordinating with state governments. Distribution of individual funding allocations was not among the core functions identified in the examination.
Q3. For planning in India, assess:
1 the Planning Commission was the highest approving body;
2 its Secretary also served the NDC;
3 economic and social planning belongs to the Concurrent List.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2004]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 2 only
(D) 3 only
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The National Development Council approved national plans, making the first claim incorrect. The Planning Commission Secretary also served the NDC. Economic and social planning appears under Entry 20 of the Constitution’s Concurrent List.
Q2. Which statement about India’s old planning institutions was INCORRECT?
[UPPSC Mains 2004]
(A) The Prime Minister chaired the Planning Commission
(B) The Planning Commission was the highest decision-making body for national plans
(C) The Planning Commission Secretary also served the NDC
(D) The Prime Minister presided over the NDC
Answer: (B) The Planning Commission was the highest decision-making body for national plans
Explanation: The Planning Commission was responsible chiefly for preparing national plans and advising on implementation. The National Development Council was the leading approval forum. The Prime Minister chaired both bodies, while their secretariat functions overlapped.
Q1. Which institution gave final approval to India’s Five-Year Plans under the old planning system?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2002]
(A) Union Cabinet
(B) President acting on the Prime Minister’s advice
(C) Planning Commission
(D) National Development Council
Answer: (D) National Development Council
Explanation: The Planning Commission prepared and coordinated plan proposals, but the National Development Council was the forum for their final approval. It brought central and state leaders together to align national development objectives and priorities.
