List of All Five-Year Plans in India
- The process of formation of the five-year plan was began with the setting of the Planning Commission in March 1950.
- The five-year plan was introduced by the Joseph Stalin in the USSR in 1928 during British rule in India.
- The first five- year plan was introduced in 1951 during the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru. Since then, India has seen twelve five-year plan. (Prime Minister in the ex-officio chairman of the Planning Commission)
- The main aim is to promote significant rise in the live standard of people by proper use of resources of the country, offering opportunities to all the employment in the service, increasing production.
- However, the present Modi led government had discontinued the Five-year plan and replaced by a new mechanism NITI Aayog introduced in Jan. 2015.
- This article provides a complete and exam-focused list of all five-year plans in India for SSC, Railway Competitive Exams.
Read the next article: List of All Sessions of the Indian National Congress
Quick List of Five-Year Plans in India
| Plan | Period | Main focus or objective |
|---|---|---|
| First Five-Year Plan | 1951–1956 | Agriculture, irrigation and power |
| Second Five-Year Plan | 1956–1961 | Rapid industrialisation and heavy industries |
| Third Five-Year Plan | 1961–1966 | Self-reliance and a self-sustaining economy |
| Plan Holiday | 1966–1969 | Three Annual Plans |
| Fourth Five-Year Plan | 1969–1974 | Growth with stability and self-reliance |
| Fifth Five-Year Plan | 1974–1979 | Removal of poverty and economic self-reliance |
| Rolling Plan | 1978–1980 | Flexible planning approach |
| Sixth Five-Year Plan | 1980–1985 | Poverty alleviation, employment and technology |
| Seventh Five-Year Plan | 1985–1990 | Food, work and productivity |
| Annual Plans | 1990–1992 | Short-term planning during economic and political changes |
| Eighth Five-Year Plan | 1992–1997 | Human development, employment and economic reforms |
| Ninth Five-Year Plan | 1997–2002 | Growth with social justice and equality |
| Tenth Five-Year Plan | 2002–2007 | Faster economic growth and measurable development targets |
| Eleventh Five-Year Plan | 2007–2012 | Faster and more inclusive growth |
| Twelfth Five-Year Plan | 2012–2017 | Faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth |
Detailed Explanation of the Five-Year Plans
1. First Five-Year Plan: 1951–1956
The First Five-Year Plan was introduced in 1951 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. This plan was successful and achieved a growth rate of 3.6% (more than its target of 2.1%). It was based mainly on the Harrod–Domar model.
Main focus:
- Agriculture and food production
- Irrigation projects
- Power generation
- Rehabilitation of refugees
- Development of the rural sector
- At the end of this plan, UGC’s and 5 IITs were set up in the country.
The plan gave priority to agriculture because India was facing food shortages and had an economy largely dependent on farming. Important multipurpose river valley projects, including the Bhakra-Nangal and Damodar Valley projects, received attention during this period.
Exam fact: The First Five-Year Plan achieved better-than-expected growth, mainly because of favourable agricultural conditions.
2. Second Five-Year Plan: 1956–1961
The Second Five-Year Plan was based on the P.C Mahalanobis model, prepared under the guidance of statistician P. C. Mahalanobis. This plan failed to achieve its target growth of 4.5% and achieved growth of 4.27%.
Main focus:
- Rapid industrialisation
- Development of heavy and basic industries
- Expansion of the public sector
- Hydroelectric Power Plant were set up.
- Reduction of dependence on imported industrial goods
The plan supported the establishment and expansion of major steel plants at Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur. It marked a major shift from agriculture-focused development to industrial development.
Exam fact: The Second Five-Year Plan is known as the P.C Mahalanobis Plan.
3. Third Five-Year Plan: 1961–1966
This plan is also called ‘Gadgil Yojana’, after the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission D.R. Gadgil, It was formulated with the prime focus on Agriculture (production of wheat) Targeted growth rate was 5.6% of GDP but achieve a growth rate of 2.2% of GDP.
Main objectives:
- Increase food grain production
- Expansion of primary schools in rural areas.
- Develop basic industries
- Achieve economic independence
- Strengthen defence and national security
During the execution of this plan, India was engaged in two wars: (1) the Sino-India war of 1962 and (2) the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 resulting in the weakness of Indian economy.
Exam fact: The Third Plan is associated with the objective of achieving self-reliance.
Plan Holiday: 1966–1969
After the failure of the Third Plan, India adopted three Annual Plans between 1966 and 1969. This period is known as the Plan Holiday.
The main priorities during this period were:
- Agriculture
- Food production
- Price stability
- Economic recovery
- Use of high-yielding variety seeds
The Green Revolution began to gain importance during this period. The government introduced short-term plans because of economic difficulties, droughts and the need to stabilise the economy.
4. Fourth Five-Year Plan: 1969–1974
The Fourth Five-Year Plan focused on growth with stability and progressive achievement of self-reliance. Final draft was prepared by DP Dhar. Successfully performed its first nuclear test (1974). Targeted growth rate was 5.7% but actual achieved growth rate was 3.3% of GDP.
Main objectives:
- Economic growth
- Price stability
- 14 Indian Banks were nationalized.
- Reduction of economic inequality
- Greater self-reliance
The plan was affected by inflation, the refugee crisis connected with the Bangladesh Liberation War and the 1971 India–Pakistan War.
Exam fact: The two main themes of the Fourth Plan were growth with stability and self-reliance.
5. Fifth Five-Year Plan: 1974–1979
The Fifth Five-Year Plan gave special importance to the slogan Garibi Hatao, or removal of poverty and Increased in agricultural and defence products. It was prepared during the period of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Targeted growth rate was 4.4% of GDP but achieved growth rate was 5.5% of GDP.Introduction of national highway system and electricity supply act (1975)
Main objectives:
- Removal of poverty
- Economic self-reliance
- Employment generation
- Reduction of inequality
- Growth of consumption and social welfare
The plan was terminated one year before its scheduled completion after a change in government in 1977.
Exam fact: The Fifth Plan is mainly associated with poverty removal and self-reliance.
Rolling Plan: 1978–1980
The Janata Government introduced a Rolling Plan/annual plan in 1978. Unlike a fixed Five-Year Plan, a rolling plan is reviewed and modified regularly according to changing economic conditions.
This plan was rejected by the Indian National Congress government in 1980 and a new Sixth Plan was made. It is important to remember that it was not counted as one of India’s regular Five-Year Plans.
6. Sixth Five-Year Plan: 1980–1985
This plan was introduced under the chairmanship of Indira Gandhi. Introduced the concept of family planning in India. Introduction of the Indian currency.
Transport and communication system were improved.Its growth target was 5.2% but it achieved a 5.7% growth.
Main objectives:
- Modernisation of the economy
- Population control
- Development of technology
- Reduction of economic inequality
- Poverty alleviation
The plan also gave importance to energy development and the development of infrastructure.
7. Seventh Five-Year Plan: 1985–1990
The central theme of the Seventh Five-Year Plan was: Food, Work and Productivity. Special care was taken to spread education among girls.
Targeted growth rate was 5% of GDP and achieved growth rate of 5.7% of GDP.
Main objectives:
- Increase food grain production
- Create employment opportunities
- Improve productivity
- Promote social justice
- Expand economic and social infrastructure
The plan aimed to improve the living standards of people while strengthening agricultural and industrial production.
Exam fact: Remember the sequence Food, Work and Productivity for the Seventh Plan.
Annual Plans: 1990–1992
India followed Annual Plans from 1990 to 1992 because of political instability and serious economic problems. The balance of payments crisis during this period eventually led to major economic reforms in 1991.
These Annual Plans focused on maintaining essential development programmes and managing the economic crisis until the Eighth Five-Year Plan could begin.
8. Eighth Five-Year Plan: 1992–1997
The Eighth Five-Year Plan began after the economic reforms of 1991. It focused on human development and employment while supporting the liberalisation of the Indian economy. It focused on the women empowerment trough Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Target growth rate was 56% of GDP but actual growth rate was 6.78% of GDP. India received a coveted opportunity to become a member of World Trade Organization (WTO) on 1st January 1995.
Main objectives:
- Employment generation
- Development of human resources
- Improvement in education and health
- Economic reforms
- Modernisation
- Greater participation of the private sector
Exam fact: The Eighth Plan was the first Five-Year Plan implemented after the New Economic Policy of 1991.
9. Ninth Five-Year Plan: 1997–2002
The Ninth Five-Year Plan focused on growth with social justice and equality. The plan was introduced under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
This plan failed to achieve the growth target of 6.5% and achieved a growth rate of 5.6%.
Main objectives:
- Growth with Social Justice
- Employment generation
- Food and nutritional security
10. Tenth Five-Year Plan: 2002–2007
This plan was introduced under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee & Manmohan Singh. Schooling should be completed for children. All main rivers should be cleaned up between 2007 & 2012.
Its growth target was 8.0% but its actual growth rate was 7.6%.The Tenth Five-Year Plan aimed to achieve faster economic growth along with measurable social development.
Main objectives:
- Achieve an average growth target of 8 percent
- Reduce gender gaps in education
- Higher female literacy rate.
- Provide better health and drinking water facilities
- Set monitorable development targets
Exam fact: The Tenth Plan is known for introducing a set of monitorable targets for development.
11. Eleventh Five-Year Plan: 2007–2012
The plan was introduced under the leadership of Manmohan Singh. Target growth rate was 9% but achieved a growth rate of 8%.
Main objectives:
- Reduce poverty
- Create productive employment
- Improve education and healthcare
- Promote gender equality
- Support agriculture
- Increase access to essential services
The plan treated inclusion as a central part of economic growth. It aimed to ensure that disadvantaged groups also benefited from development.
Exam fact: The theme of the Eleventh Plan was faster and more inclusive growth.
12. Twelfth Five-Year Plan: 2012–2017
Aim to renew Indian economy & improving the facilities of education, sanitation and health. The UID (Unique Identification Number) will act as a platform for cash transfer.
This plan aim of reducing poverty in India by 10%.The Twelfth Five-Year Plan was the last Five-Year Plan of India. Its theme was faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth.
Main objectives:
- Maintain faster economic growth
- Promote inclusive development
- Protect the environment
- Improve infrastructure
- Strengthen health and education
- Encourage skill development and employment
- Reduce regional and social inequalities
After 2017, this was discontinued by the Modi cabinet and it was replace by the NITI Aayog marking the twelfth plan as the last Five-Year Plan in India.
Exam fact: The Twelfth Plan was the last Five-Year Plan in India.
Important Facts About Five-Year Plans in India
- The First Five-Year Plan began in 1951.
- The Planning Commission was established in 1950.
- The National Development Council was established in 1952.
- The First Plan focused mainly on agriculture and irrigation.
- The Second Plan was based on the P.C Mahalanobis model.
- The Third Plan aimed at self-reliance.
- The period from 1966 to 1969 is called the Plan Holiday.
- The Fifth Plan was terminated before its scheduled end.
- The Rolling Plan was introduced in 1978.
- The Eighth Plan began after the economic reforms of 1991.
- The Eleventh Plan focused on faster and more inclusive growth.
- The Twelfth Plan was the last Five-Year Plan.
- The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015.
- No Thirteenth Five-Year Plan was introduced.
Five-Year Plans in India: One-Line Revision Table
| Plan | One-line revision point |
|---|---|
| First | Agriculture and irrigation |
| Second | P.C Mahalanobis model and heavy industries |
| Third | Self-reliance |
| Plan Holiday | Three Annual Plans and agricultural recovery |
| Fourth | Growth with stability |
| Fifth | Garibi Hatao and self-reliance |
| Rolling Plan | Flexible planning from 1978 to 1980 |
| Sixth | Poverty alleviation and modernisation |
| Seventh | Food, work and productivity |
| Annual Plans | Economic crisis and transition |
| Eighth | Human development and post-1991 reforms |
| Ninth | Growth with social justice |
| Tenth | Faster growth and monitorable targets |
| Eleventh | Faster and more inclusive growth |
| Twelfth | Faster, inclusive and sustainable growth |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) How many Five-Year Plans were introduced in India?
Ans: India introduced twelve regular Five-Year Plans from 1951 to 2017. There were also periods of Annual Plans, including the Plan Holiday from 1966 to 1969 and Annual Plans from 1990 to 1992.
Q2) Which was the first Five-Year Plan of India?
Ans: The First Five-Year Plan was introduced in 1951 and covered the period from 1951 to 1956. Its main focus was agriculture, irrigation and power.
Q3) Which Five-Year Plan was based on the P.C Mahalanobis model?
Ans: The Second Five-Year Plan was based on the P.C Mahalanobis model. It focused on rapid industrialisation and heavy industries.
Q4) Which was the last Five-Year Plan in India?
Ans: The Twelfth Five-Year Plan, covering 2012–2017, was the last Five-Year Plan in India.
Q5) What was the Plan Holiday in India?
Ans: The period from 1966 to 1969 is known as the Plan Holiday. India introduced three Annual Plans during this period instead of beginning a regular Five-Year Plan.
Q6) Which Five-Year Plan focused on Garibi Hatao?
Ans: The Fifth Five-Year Plan focused on poverty removal, commonly expressed through the slogan Garibi Hatao.
Q7) Which plan focused on faster and more inclusive growth?
Ans: The Eleventh Five-Year Plan focused on faster and more inclusive growth.
Q8) Why were Five-Year Plans discontinued in India?
Ans: The traditional Five-Year Plan system was discontinued after the Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog. India adopted a more flexible approach based on long-term vision documents, strategy documents and action agendas.
SSC and Railway Exam Practice Questions
1. Which Five-Year Plan was based on the P.C Mahalanobis model?
A. First Plan
B. Second Plan
C. Third Plan
D. Fourth Plan
Answer: B. Second Plan
2. What was the main focus of the First Five-Year Plan?
A. Heavy industries
B. Agriculture and irrigation
C. Information technology
D. Banking reforms
Answer: B. Agriculture and irrigation
3. Which period is known as the Plan Holiday?
A. 1956–1961
B. 1961–1966
C. 1966–1969
D. 1978–1980
Answer: C. 1966–1969
4. Which Five-Year Plan was associated with Garibi Hatao?
A. Third Plan
B. Fourth Plan
C. Fifth Plan
D. Sixth Plan
Answer: C. Fifth Plan
5. What was the theme of the Seventh Five-Year Plan?
A. Growth with stability
B. Food, work and productivity
C. Faster and inclusive growth
D. Self-reliance
Answer: B. Food, work and productivity
6. Which was the last Five-Year Plan of India?
A. Ninth Plan
B. Tenth Plan
C. Eleventh Plan
D. Twelfth Plan
Answer: D. Twelfth Plan
7. The Eleventh Five-Year Plan focused on which objective?
A. Faster and more inclusive growth
B. Only agricultural growth
C. Complete nationalisation
D. Industrial licensing
Answer: A. Faster and more inclusive growth
8. Which plan was implemented after the economic reforms of 1991?
A. Sixth Plan
B. Seventh Plan
C. Eighth Plan
D. Ninth Plan
Answer: C. Eighth Plan
Read the article: SSC CHSL 2026 Notification
Final Revision
The most important points to remember are:
- First Plan: Agriculture and irrigation
- Second Plan: P.C Mahalanobis model and heavy industries
- Third Plan: Self-reliance
- Plan Holiday: 1966–1969
- Fifth Plan: Garibi Hatao
- Seventh Plan: Food, work and productivity
- Eleventh Plan: Faster and more inclusive growth
- Twelfth Plan: Faster, inclusive and sustainable growth
- Last Plan: Twelfth Five-Year Plan, 2012–2017
For SSC and Railway examinations, revise the plan period, main objective, key model or slogan and the special events associated with each plan. These facts are frequently useful in General Knowledge and Indian Economy questions.