What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

Why did India choose planning for development?

Because there was a consensus that development could not be left to private actors alone, supported by the success of planning abroad and even by industrialists' Bombay Plan.

What was the Bombay Plan?

A 1944 joint proposal by leading industrialists for setting up a planned economy with the state taking major initiatives in industrial and economic investment.

When was the Planning Commission set up and what was its role?

It was set up in 1950 by a government resolution, chaired by the Prime Minister, as the central, advisory body for deciding India's development path and strategy.

What was the major thrust of the First Five Year Plan?

It focused on the agrarian sector — investment in dams and irrigation, projects like Bhakra Nangal, and land reforms — to break the cycle of poverty.

How did the Second Plan differ from the First?

The Second Plan stressed rapid industrialisation and heavy industry in the public sector under Mahalanobis, reflecting the 'socialist pattern of society', while the First focused on agriculture.

What is meant by the 'socialist pattern of society'?

The goal, declared by the Congress at Avadi, of state ownership and regulation of key sectors to improve productivity while curbing economic concentration.

What criticisms were made of the development strategy?

Critics pointed to an 'urban bias', the neglect of agriculture in favour of heavy industry, and the difficulty of balancing industry and food production.

Why was development a political and not merely a technical matter?

Because development decisions weigh the interests of one group against another and of present against future generations, so they must be approved by people's representatives.

What replaced the Planning Commission and when?

The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), which came into existence on 1 January 2015.

Politics of Planned Development

Q: What were the major differences in the approach towards development at independence?

Debates over how big a role the state should play, whether to prioritise industry or agriculture, and how much weight to give to social justice versus economic growth.

Class 12 Political Science · Politics in India Since Independence · Chapter 3

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Summary

This chapter studies the political choices behind India's economic development. After independence there was broad agreement that development meant both economic growth and social and economic justice, and that the government, not private actors alone, must lead it. The debate was over how big a role the state should play, whether to prioritise industry or agriculture, and how much weight to give justice. India had before it two models — the liberal-capitalist and the socialist — and many leaders, including Nehru, admired the Soviet model. A consensus on planning emerged, reinforced even by industrialists' 1944 Bombay Plan. The Planning Commission, set up in 1950 with the Prime Minister as chairperson, became the central body for development and adopted Five Year Plans. The First Five Year Plan (1951-56), drafted with K.N. Raj's involvement, focused on agriculture, dams like Bhakra Nangal, and land reforms. The Second Plan (1956), led by P.C. Mahalanobis and reflecting the 'socialist pattern of society', stressed rapid industrialisation and heavy industry in the public sector, protected by tariffs. Critics noted its urban bias and neglect of agriculture, while the Green Revolution and milk cooperatives shaped later debates. (The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015.)

Key terms

Planning Commission

The body set up in 1950, chaired by the Prime Minister, to design and guide India's development.

Five Year Plan

A document planning the government's income and expenditure over five years to direct development.

Bombay Plan

A 1944 proposal by leading industrialists for a planned economy with a major state role.

Socialist pattern of society

The Congress goal, declared at Avadi, of state-led growth combined with social justice.

Mixed economy

An economy combining a public sector run by the state with a private sector.

Land reforms

Changes in the pattern of land ownership identified as key to agricultural growth in the First Plan.

Extra questions & answers

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The Planning Commission of India was set up in:

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