UPSC Prelims 2009 Q75: Indian Economy – Economic Planning & Five - Year Plans
During which Five Year Plan was the Emergency clamped, new elections took place and the
Janata Party was elected ?
- (a) Third
- (b) Fourth
- (c) Fifth
- (d) Sixth
Answer: (c) Fifth
Explanation
During which Five-Year Plan the Emergency and Janata Party's election occurred
This turbulent political period (Emergency, fresh elections, change of government) falls within a specific Five-Year Plan period.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Third | Incorrect | Too early; this plan period (1961-66) predates the Emergency |
| (b) Fourth | Incorrect | Also predates the Emergency (1969-74 plan period) |
| (c) Fifth | Correct | The Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79) period encompasses the 1975-77 Emergency, the subsequent elections, and the Janata Party's victory |
| (d) Sixth | Incorrect | This plan period (1980-85) comes after these events |
Emergency and the Fifth Plan:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Emergency period | 1975-1977 |
| Five-Year Plan | Fifth Plan (1974-79) |
| Outcome | Janata Party elected after Emergency ended |
Answer: (c) Fifth.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Third Plan (1961-66) is too early for the Emergency.
- (b) Incorrect. The Fourth Plan (1969-74) also predates the Emergency.
- (c) CORRECT. The Fifth Plan (1974-79) period encompasses the Emergency and the Janata Party's election.
- (d) Incorrect. The Sixth Plan (1980-85) comes after these events.
Key point
The Emergency (1975-77), subsequent elections, and the Janata Party's victory occurred during the Fifth Five-Year Plan period (1974-79).
Remember
The Emergency and the Janata Party's election occurred during the Fifth Five-Year Plan.
Common mistakes
- Misplacing the Emergency's timeline relative to India's Five-Year Plan periods.
- Confusing the Fifth Plan with the Fourth or Sixth, which cover different years.
- Not connecting these major political events to their corresponding economic planning period.
Exam tip
Emergency (1975-77) + Janata Party election = within the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79) period.
Sources
- Planning Commission, Government of India — Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–79)
- Bipan Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee — India Since Independence (Penguin): the Emergency and the Janata experiment