1st to 12th Five-Year Plans: Introduction, Objectives, and List of Five-Year Plans in India

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Economic planning in the state of Rajasthan has been aimed at achieving higher growth, making better use of potential already created, and improving the living conditions of all people - especially the weaker sections of society. The planning process began soon after India’s independence and has evolved through successive Five-Year Plans and later policy frameworks.

Objectives

Among the main objectives of Rajasthan’s economic planning are:

To raise the overall rate of economic growth in the state.
To utilize the state’s resources more fully and effectively.
To reduce regional imbalances and narrow economic disparities between different parts of the state.
To improve the socio-economic conditions of weaker and underprivileged sections of the population.
To ensure basic minimum services (education, health, drinking water, roads etc) reach all parts of the state.

List of Five-Year Plans in India

Five-Year Plan	Period	Growth Rate	Salient Features
First Five-Year Plan	1951–1956	Actual Growth: 3.6% vs Targeted Growth: 2.1%	Based on the Harrod-Domar model Focused on increasing agricultural production, full employment, and removal of economic inequalities Achieved food self-sufficiency and established Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
Second Five-Year Plan	1956–1961	Actual Growth: 4.3% vs Targeted Growth: 4.5%	Developed based on the Harrod-Domar model Authored by P.C. Mahalanobis Emphasized rapid industrialization; faced foreign exchange shortages Introduced Industrial Policy 1956 for a socialist society
Third Five-Year Plan	1961–1966	Actual Growth: 2.8% vs Targeted Growth: 5.6%	Aimed at self-reliance, later shifted focus to defense Promoted medium and small-scale industries Borrowed from IMF for the first time Affected by 1962 Chinese aggression and Indo-Pak war
Plan Holidays (Annual Plans)	1966–1969	-	Declared due to the failure of the Third Plan Three yearly plans were formulated from 1966 to 1969
Fourth Five-Year Plan	1969–1974	Actual Growth: 3.3% vs Targeted Growth: 5.6%	Aimed for growth with stability and self-reliance, especially in defense Introduced family planning programs Faced challenges due to influx of Bangladeshi refugees Nationalized 14 major Indian banks and promoted Green Revolution
Fifth Five-Year Plan	1974–1979	Actual Growth: 4.8% vs Targeted Growth: 4.4%	Focused on poverty removal and self-reliance Introduced Electricity Supply Act First plan to prioritize poverty eradication
Rolling Plan	1979–1980	-	Proposed by the Janata government Discontinued by the Congress government in 1980
Sixth Five-Year Plan	1980–1985	Actual Growth: 5.7% vs Targeted Growth: 5.2%	Aimed at poverty removal, modernization, and higher growth Successfully achieved most targets Emphasized family planning
Seventh Five-Year Plan	1985–1990	Actual Growth: 6% vs Targeted Growth: 5%	Focused on food grain production and employment generation Recorded high agricultural and overall growth Followed by plan holidays from 1990 to 1992
Plan Holidays	1990–1992	-	Declared due to the failure of the Seventh Plan Annual plans in 1990–91 and 1991–92
Eighth Five-Year Plan	1992–1997	Actual Growth: 6.8% vs Targeted Growth: 5.6%	Introduced reforms to combat economic issues Emphasis on universal education and eradication of illiteracy Increased private sector investment and improved current account deficit
Ninth Five-Year Plan	1997–2002	Actual Growth: 5.4% vs Targeted Growth: 6.5%	Focused on growth with social justice and equality Prioritized agriculture and rural development Aimed to provide safe drinking water, education, and shelter Ensured food and nutritional security
Tenth Five-Year Plan	2002–2007	Actual Growth: 7.6% vs Targeted Growth: 8%	Targeted GDP growth, poverty reduction, gender equality, and access to basic services Focused on multiple development indicators
Eleventh Five-Year Plan	2007–2012	Actual Growth: 8% vs Targeted Growth: 9%	Introduced the concept of inclusive growth Addressed agriculture, infrastructure, and education Set detailed national targets for development
Twelfth Five-Year Plan	2012–2017	2012–13: 5.1%, 2013–14: 6.9%, 2014–15: 7.2%, 2015–16: 7.6%, 2016–17: 7.1%	Focused on inclusive and sustainable growth Set 25 core monitorable targets across GDP, manufacturing, education, and renewable energy Emphasized poverty reduction and infrastructure development

Conclusion

The Five-Year Plans have been essential in shaping Rajasthan's development by addressing key issues such as economic growth, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure improvement. While progress has been made, ongoing efforts are required to tackle regional imbalances and ensure equitable growth for all sections of society in the state.

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Can Final-Year Students Apply for RAS 2026? Complete Eligibility Guide

1st to 12th Five-Year Plans: Introduction, Objectives, and List of Five-Year Plans in India

Get in Touch with RASonly!

Objectives

List of Five-Year Plans in India

Conclusion