Planning and sustainable development are key pillars of India’s growth strategy. Chapter 6 of the NCERT Class 12 Geography book India: People and Economy gives students a clear picture of how planning works in India, what sustainable development means, and how the two are connected. The chapter focuses on area-based planning, regional imbalance, and case studies like the Hill Area Development Programme and the Drought Prone Area Programme, making it relevant both academically and socially.
I’m writing about this topic because sustainable development is not just a textbook term anymore. It is now a real-life issue affecting everyone—from rural farmers to urban citizens. With growing concerns about climate change, urban pollution, water scarcity, and rural poverty, understanding this chapter can help students and young citizens become more aware and responsible. Also, planning is one of the key topics in competitive exams like UPSC, so if you’re preparing for them or just trying to understand how the government works to balance growth and ecology, this chapter has a lot to offer. I’ll explain the important points, break down the meaning of sustainable development in the Indian context, and give you a link to download the official NCERT PDF.
What is Planning in the Indian Context?
Planning in India refers to the process through which the government tries to use resources efficiently and achieve growth in a balanced way. After independence, India adopted centralised planning, mainly through the Five-Year Plans. The idea was to remove regional imbalances, reduce poverty, and promote equality.
The chapter explains how planning is not just about infrastructure or industries, but also about improving the quality of life—like education, health, and environment.
Key objectives of Indian planning include:
- Reducing regional disparity
- Ensuring sustainable use of resources
- Promoting economic growth
- Empowering backward and tribal areas
- Supporting agriculture and rural development
Over time, the focus shifted from only economic goals to environmental and social goals, especially after the idea of sustainable development came into play.
Understanding Sustainable Development
Sustainable development means using resources in such a way that we meet our present needs without harming the future generation’s ability to meet theirs. This includes balancing environmental protection with development goals.
In the Indian context, sustainable development includes:
- Using water, forests, and minerals carefully
- Encouraging renewable energy
- Reducing pollution in cities and rivers
- Improving rural employment without harming nature
This chapter also explains how development should not be only for profit or production, but also for people and the planet.
Area-Based Planning: A Focus on Regions
India is a vast and diverse country. So, planning that works in one area may not work in another. That’s why the government introduced area-based planning.
Two case studies from the chapter:
- Hill Area Development Programme
- Started in 1960s
- Covered hill areas in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam etc.
- Focused on agriculture, horticulture, small-scale industries and eco-friendly tourism
- Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP)
- Started in 1970s
- Covered areas in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and others
- Aimed at water conservation, drought-proofing, afforestation and rural employment
These programmes are examples of how development plans are made to suit the geography and needs of a specific region.
Planning in the Post-Liberalisation Period
After 1991, India moved towards economic liberalisation. The role of planning also changed. Now, planning focuses more on:
- Policy support
- Public-private partnerships
- Environmental regulation
- District-level and panchayat-level planning
Also, the NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015, marking a shift towards cooperative federalism.
Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 – Planning and Sustainable Development
You can access the official NCERT PDF directly from here:
