Five-Year Plans and Bihar's Contribution to the

National Movement
The developmental journey of independent India through planned economic growth and the
significant role of Bihar in India's freedom struggle represent two critical aspects of modern
Indian history. This comprehensive report explores both topics in detail, providing essential
information for government examination preparation.

Economic Planning in India: Five-Year Plans

Historical Background and Evolution

Economic planning in India began officially after independence when it was deemed necessary
for the nation's growth and development. Following the implementation of the Constitution on
January 26, 1950, the Planning Commission was established on March 15, 1950, and the era of
Five-Year Plans commenced on April 1, 1951, with the launch of the First Five-Year Plan [1] . This
planning approach was inspired by the Soviet Union's model and implemented under the
socialist vision of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru [1] .
The long-term objectives of Five-Year Plans in India included achieving high growth rates to
improve living standards, ensuring economic stability, developing a self-reliant economy,
promoting social justice while reducing inequalities, and modernizing the economy [1] . The initial
eight Five-Year Plans emphasized developing the public sector with substantial investments in
heavy and basic industries, but this approach evolved over time [1] .

Chronological Analysis of Five-Year Plans

First Five-Year Plan (1951-56)

This inaugural plan was based on the Harrod-Domar model with some modifications. It primarily
focused on agricultural development of the country [2] . With a target growth rate of 2.1%, it
actually achieved 3.6%, making it notably successful [2] . During this period, five Indian Institutes
of Technology (IITs) were established, laying the foundation for India's technical education
infrastructure [2] .

Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61)

Adopting the P.C. Mahalanobis model, this plan prioritized rapid industrialization with emphasis
on heavy and basic industries [1] [2] . The target growth rate was 4.5%, and it achieved 4.3% [2] .
This period was significant for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system through democratic
decentralization [2] . Rajasthan became the first state to implement this system, inaugurated by
Prime Minister Nehru on October 2, 1959, in Nagaur district, followed by Andhra Pradesh [2] .
Five major steel plants including those in Durgapur, Rourkela, and Bhilai were established during
this period [2] . The Atomic Energy Commission was formed in 1957, and the Tata Institute of
Fundamental Research was also established [2] .

Third Five-Year Plan (1961-66)

Also known as "Gadgil Yojana" after Planning Commission Deputy Chairman D.R. Gadgil, this
plan aimed to make India a self-reliant and self-generating economy [2] . It targeted a growth
rate of 5.6% but achieved only 2.8% [2] . The underperformance was largely due to external
challenges including the Sino-India war of 1962, the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, and severe
drought conditions [2] . Nevertheless, this period saw the beginning of the Green Revolution in
1965, which would transform Indian agriculture through high-yield variety seeds, fertilizers, and
improved irrigation [2] .

Plan Holiday (1966-69)

Following the challenges faced during the Third Five-Year Plan implementation, a "Plan Holiday"
was declared from 1966 to 1969 [2] . This pause was necessitated by the devaluation of the
rupee (intended to boost exports) combined with inflationary recession, leading to the
postponement of the Fourth Five-Year Plan [2] .

Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-74)

Based on the model proposed by economists Ashok Rudra and A.S. Manne, this plan focused on
growth with stability and progressive achievement of self-reliance [2] . With a target growth rate
of 5.7%, it achieved only 3.3% [2] .

Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79)

This plan concentrated on poverty removal (Garibi Hatao) and the attainment of self-reliance [2] .
The target growth rate was 4.4%, but it surpassed expectations by achieving 4.8% [2] .

Rolling Plan (1978-80)

Due to political uncertainty at the center, a Rolling Plan was implemented during this period
instead of a conventional five-year plan [2] .

Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980-85)

This plan aimed to increase national income, modernize technology, and reduce poverty and
unemployment [2] . It also marked the beginning of economic liberalization in India [2] . With a
target growth rate of 5.2%, it achieved 5.7% [2] .
Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985-90)
Focusing on 'food, work & productivity,' this plan emphasized the development of small-scale
and food processing industries while promoting social justice [2] . The Blue Revolution was
initiated during this period to develop fisheries [2] . The Jawahar Rozgar Yojana was launched in
1989 by the Rajiv Gandhi government, merging earlier employment schemes [2] . With a target
growth rate of 5.0%, it achieved 6.0% [2] .

Eighth Five-Year Plan (1992-97)

Following a period of annual plans (1990-92) due to political instability, the Eighth Plan
addressed challenges such as worsening balance of payments, rising debt, and widening
budget deficits [2] . It introduced significant fiscal and economic reforms, including substantial
liberalization [2] . With a target growth rate of 5.6%, it achieved an impressive 6.8% [2] .

Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002)

This plan focused on "Growth With Social Justice and Equality" [2] . It targeted a growth rate of
6.6% but achieved 5.4% [2] .

Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-07)

Introducing 'monitorable targets' for key development indicators alongside an 8% growth
target, this plan aimed to double India's per capita income within a decade [2] . It achieved a
growth rate of 7.6% [2] .

Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007-12)

With the theme "Towards Faster, More Inclusive Growth," this plan targeted 9.0% growth and
achieved 8.0% [2] .

Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-17)

The final five-year plan followed the theme "Faster, Sustainable, and More Inclusive Growth"
with a target growth rate of 8.2% [2] .

Key Initiatives and Transition to NITI Aayog

Several transformative initiatives emerged during the Five-Year Plans:
1. Panchayati Raj System: Activated during the Second Five-Year Plan and later
constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 [2] .
2. Green Revolution: Launched in 1965 during the Third Five-Year Plan, transforming India
from food-deficient to food-surplus [2] .
3. Economic Liberalization: Beginning during the Sixth Five-Year Plan and substantially
expanded in the Eighth Plan [2] .
Following the Twelfth Five-Year Plan, the government replaced the Planning Commission with
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), marking the end of the Five-Year Plan
era in India's economic planning [1] .

Bihar's Contribution to India's National Movement

Major Movements and Their Impact

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

The Champaran Satyagraha stands as one of the most significant events in India's freedom
struggle that took place in Bihar [3] . Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this campaign targeted the
exploitative practices imposed on indigo farmers by British planters [3] . This marked Gandhi's
first civil disobedience movement in India and demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent
resistance against colonial exploitation. The success of this movement brought national attention
to the plight of farmers under colonial rule and established Bihar as an important center of the
freedom struggle.

Khilafat Movement (1920)

Bihar actively participated in the Khilafat Movement, a pan-Indian campaign that protested
British actions against the Ottoman Empire's Caliph [3] . This movement, which united Hindus and
Muslims against British policies, was led in Bihar by prominent figures like Maulana Mazharul
Haque and Kazi Shamsuddin [3] . The movement demonstrated the potential for Hindu-Muslim
unity in the struggle for independence and laid groundwork for broader non-cooperation efforts
that would follow.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

Bihar played a pivotal role in Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, with widespread
participation in boycotts of British goods, non-payment of taxes, and various forms of resistance
against colonial authorities [3] . This enthusiastic participation demonstrated Bihar's strong
commitment to the national cause and significantly contributed to building momentum for the
independence movement. The participation cut across social and economic divisions, creating
unprecedented unity among different communities.

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

During the Civil Disobedience Movement, Bihar witnessed extensive mass protests, strikes, and
acts of civil disobedience against British policies [3] . Prominent leaders from Bihar, including
Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, and Krishna Sinha, were deeply involved in organizing
and leading these activities [3] . Bihar's participation reinforced the widespread nature of
resistance to British rule and contributed significantly to maintaining pressure on the colonial
government throughout this critical period.
Quit India Movement (1942)
The Quit India Movement saw Bihar emerge as a center of intense anti-colonial activity with
widespread protests and acts of civil disobedience [3] . Many leaders and activists were arrested
for their participation, yet the resistance continued [3] . The movement in Bihar was characterized
by its intensity and widespread support across different sections of society. Bihar's role in the
Quit India Movement was crucial in building momentum toward India's eventual independence
by demonstrating the unwavering determination of ordinary Indians to achieve freedom from
colonial rule.

Prominent Leaders from Bihar

Bihar contributed several influential leaders to the freedom struggle who shaped both regional
and national politics:
1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad: A prominent figure in the Indian National Congress who later became
India's first President, Prasad was born in Ziradei, Bihar [3] . He was a close associate of
Mahatma Gandhi and participated actively in the Champaran Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation
Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement. His leadership
combined intellectual rigor with grassroots organization skills.
2. Anugrah Narayan Sinha: A significant leader in Bihar's political landscape and the national
freedom movement, he worked closely with Rajendra Prasad and other nationalist leaders to
organize resistance against British rule [3] . His contributions extended beyond the
independence movement to the formative years of the state after 1947.
3. Krishna Sinha: A key figure in Bihar's freedom struggle who later became the first Chief
Minister of Bihar after independence, his leadership helped mobilize public opinion against
colonial rule [3] .
4. Jayaprakash Narayan: Though he gained greater prominence in the post-independence
period, particularly during the Total Revolution movement, he was also involved in the
freedom struggle and represented Bihar's continuing tradition of political activism [3] .

Educational and Cultural Contributions

Bihar made significant contributions to the intellectual and cultural aspects of the freedom
struggle [3] . The Bihar Vidyapeeth, founded by Rajendra Prasad, was an important institution
that promoted Indian culture and education as an alternative to British educational systems [3] .
Such institutions played a crucial role in fostering nationalism and creating spaces for indigenous
knowledge systems to flourish. Bihar's cultural resistance included the promotion of vernacular
languages, literature, and arts, which helped preserve Indian identity under colonial rule.

Conclusion
The Five-Year Plans represented India's systematic approach to economic development after
independence, evolving from a socialist, state-controlled model to a more liberalized and
inclusive growth paradigm. Each plan reflected the changing priorities and challenges of
different periods in India's developmental journey. The transition from Planning Commission to
NITI Aayog marked a shift from rigid planning to more flexible policy frameworks suited to a
globalized economy.
Bihar's contributions to India's freedom struggle were multi-faceted and significant. From
providing the staging ground for Gandhi's first Satyagraha to participating vigorously in all major
national movements, Bihar demonstrated the nationwide character of resistance against colonial
rule. The legacy of Bihar's freedom fighters continues to inspire, and their contributions remain a
proud chapter in both Bihar's history and the broader national narrative of independence.
Together, these two aspects—planned economic development and the freedom struggle—
represent crucial dimensions of modern India's formation and evolution, making them essential
subjects for government examinations and broader historical understanding.
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1. https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ias-preparation-economy-planning-in-india/
2. https://testbook.com/objective-questions/mcq-on-five-year-plans--5eea6a1239140f30f369ec63
3. https://licchavilyceum.com/role-of-bihar-in-freedom-struggle-of-india/