Question

During which among the following plan period Indian GDP had registered the highest growth?

• A. Sixth Plan
• B. Seventh Plan
• C. Eighth Plan
• D. Ninth Plan

Hint:

Think about which plan period came right after the 1991 economic reforms; growth usually picks up after opening the economy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

India's Five Year Plans each have a recorded average GDP growth rate, based on data published by the Planning Commission and the CSO. Comparing the plans mentioned in the options: the Sixth Plan (1980 to 1985) grew at about 5.7% a year, the Seventh Plan (1985 to 1990) grew at about 6.0% a year, the Eighth Plan (1992 to 1997), the first plan after the 1991 economic reforms, grew at about 6.8% a year, and the Ninth Plan (1997 to 2002) slowed to about 5.4% a year due to the Asian financial crisis and other shocks. Let's check each option against these figures.

1. Sixth Plan: Growth was around 5.7%, lower than the Eighth Plan's figure.
2. Seventh Plan: Growth improved to about 6.0%, still lower than the Eighth Plan.
3. Eighth Plan: This period saw growth of about 6.8% a year, the highest among the four listed plans, driven by the reforms of 1991 opening up the economy.
4. Ninth Plan: Growth actually fell back to about 5.4%, well below the Eighth Plan's rate.

Since the Eighth Plan recorded the fastest average GDP growth among these four plan periods, it is the correct answer.

Let's summarize:

• The Eighth Plan (1992 to 1997) followed the 1991 reforms and posted the strongest growth of the plans listed.
• The Ninth Plan that came right after actually slowed down again.

The answer is option (3), Eighth Plan.