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

Hint:

This council includes the PM, Union ministers, and all state Chief Ministers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question is about the body that gives final approval to India's Five Year Plans before they are put into action.

1. Union Cabinet: The Cabinet discusses many policy matters, but the final sign-off on a Five Year Plan is not its job under the planning process that existed at the time.
2. President on the advice of the Prime Minister: The President's role is mostly formal and ceremonial, and Five Year Plans are not approved through presidential assent.
3. National Development Council: This body includes the Prime Minister, Union ministers, and Chief Ministers of all states, and it was the forum that gave final approval to each Five Year Plan after the Planning Commission drafted it.
4. Planning Commission: The Planning Commission prepared and drafted the plan, but drafting is not the same as giving it final approval.

So option C is correct: the National Development Council gives final approval to the Five Year Plans.

Let's summarize:

• The Planning Commission drafted the Five Year Plan.
• The National Development Council, with the PM and Chief Ministers, approved it.
• This two-step process linked central planning with state-level agreement.

Remember the split: Planning Commission drafts, National Development Council approves.