Question

Five year plans in India are finally approved by the :

• A. Union Cabinet
• B. President on the advice of prime minister
• C. National Development Council
• D. Planning commission

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1 — Understand the context of Five Year Plans:
In India, the Five Year Plans were centralized and integrated programs for economic and social development. The concept was adopted after independence, inspired by the Soviet model of planned development. The first plan began in 1951. These plans outlined national priorities for growth, resource allocation, and reforms.

Step 2 — Process of preparation and approval:
• The draft plan was first prepared by the Planning Commission (which existed before being replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015).
• After preparation, the draft plan was placed before the Union Cabinet for consideration.
• Finally, the plan required approval from the National Development Council (NDC) before implementation.

Step 3 — Why the National Development Council (NDC)?
The NDC included the Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of states, and members of the Planning Commission. Its role was to ensure cooperation between the Centre and the States. Approval by NDC made the plan nationally acceptable and gave it final authority.

Step 4 — Eliminate other possibilities:
• Parliament discusses and influences planning through budget allocations but does not directly approve Five Year Plans.
• The Planning Commission only drafted and recommended — it did not give final approval.
• The Union Cabinet only cleared it at the central government level, but final sanction rested with the NDC.

Step 5 — Conclusion:
Thus, the final approving authority for Five Year Plans in India was the National Development Council.

Final Answer:
The correct option is (C): National Development Council.