The third chapter of NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 is titled Politics of Planned Development. It focuses on how India shaped its economy and development model after independence. Right after 1947, our leaders had to take big decisions on how to rebuild the country, reduce poverty, create jobs, and build infrastructure. This chapter explains how planned development started through Five-Year Plans, the role of the Planning Commission, and debates around public versus private sectors. It’s not just an economic story, but a political one too.
I’m writing about this chapter because many students find economic topics boring or confusing, especially when it comes to understanding how planning connects to politics. But when you actually read the chapter, you’ll see how every economic decision was also a political choice—who should benefit, where money should be spent, and what kind of future we want for the country. This is especially relevant today when we talk about schemes, budgets, or reforms. Understanding how it all began helps us make sense of the policies we see in news today. This chapter gives us that background in a very structured and student-friendly way.
What This Chapter Covers
The Need for Planning in Post-Independence India
After 200 years of colonial rule, India was left with poverty, unemployment, low industrial growth, and almost no infrastructure. The leaders knew that without long-term planning, India would not develop. So, the Planning Commission was set up in 1950 to make Five-Year Plans, inspired by the Soviet model of economic development.
Role of Planning Commission
- Formed in 1950, with Prime Minister as its chairperson
- Tasked with setting development goals and distributing funds across states
- Helped in balancing growth between agriculture and industry
- Acted as a think tank for long-term policy making
Key Features of Five-Year Plans
| Plan | Year | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1951–56 | Agriculture, irrigation, food security |
| 2nd | 1956–61 | Rapid industrialisation, public sector |
| 3rd | 1961–66 | Self-reliance, defence production |
- The first two plans laid the foundation of India’s mixed economy model
- Government controlled key industries like steel, coal, and power
- Private sector existed but was regulated by the state
The Debate on Public vs Private Sector
- Some leaders believed government should control everything (socialist view)
- Others felt private sector should play a bigger role
- This led to a “mixed economy” where both sectors coexisted
- But over time, public sector became bloated and inefficient
Agriculture and Land Reforms
- Land ceiling laws were introduced to prevent landlords from keeping too much land
- Zamindari system was abolished
- Cooperative farming and green revolution were promoted later
Challenges in Implementation
- Plans looked great on paper but failed in many states due to corruption and lack of coordination
- Targets were often not met
- Some states developed faster than others, leading to inequality
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 3 – Politics of Planned Development
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NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 3 – Politics of Planned Development
