Match the following Five-Year Plans with their primary objectives:
| List-I (Five-Year Plan) | List-II (Major objective) |
|---|---|
| a. First Plan (1951-56) | 1. Removal of poverty and attainment of self-reliance |
| b. Second Plan (1956-61) | 2. Agricultural development with a focus on irrigation and energy |
| c. Third Plan (1961-66) | 3. Rapid industrialisation based on the Mahalanobis model |
| d. Fifth Plan (1974-79) | 4. Self-sufficiency in food grains and expansion of basic industries |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- Aa-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
- Ba-1, b-4, c-2, d-3
- Ca-4, b-3, c-2, d-1
- Da-2, b-1, c-3, d-4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (a) a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
Explanation
The correct matches are a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1:
- First Plan (1951–56): based on the Harrod–Domar model; agriculture, irrigation and energy (Bhakra-Nangal, Hirakud and Damodar Valley projects);
- Second Plan (1956–61): rapid industrialisation with heavy industry, based on the P.C. Mahalanobis model (steel plants at Bhilai, Durgapur and Rourkela);
- Third Plan (1961–66): a self-reliant economy: self-sufficiency in food grains and expansion of basic industries; the wars of 1962 and 1965 and droughts set it back;
- Fifth Plan (1974–79): removal of poverty (*garibi hatao*) and self-reliance; the Janata government ended it a year early, in 1978.