UPSC Prelims 2013 Q98: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
- (c) 2 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Composition of the National Development Council (NDC)
The NDC was set up in August 1952 by an executive resolution.
| Person | Member of the NDC? |
|---|---|
| 1. The Prime Minister | Yes; he was its Chairman |
| 2. The Chairman, Finance Commission | No |
| 3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet | Yes (all of them, since 1967) |
| 4. Chief Ministers of the States | Yes |
Other members: Chief Ministers and Administrators of Union Territories, and members of the Planning Commission.
Functions of the NDC:
| Function | Detail |
|---|---|
| Approve | The Five-Year Plans prepared by the Planning Commission |
| Review | The working of the Plan |
| Guide | National planning and social and economic policy |
After 2015, its role passed to the Governing Council of NITI Aayog.
Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Chairman, Finance Commission was not a member; Chief Ministers were.
- (b) CORRECT. The Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers made up the NDC.
- (c) Incorrect. The Chairman, Finance Commission was not a member.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false.
Key point
NDC (1952): Prime Minister (Chairman), Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, UT Administrators, Planning Commission members; approved Five-Year Plans.
Remember
NDC: Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers.
Common mistakes
- Adding the Finance Commission Chairman, a different constitutional office.
- Forgetting that all Union Cabinet Ministers were members.
- Not knowing that NITI Aayog's Governing Council took over its role.
Exam tip
NDC = planning. Finance Commission = tax sharing. The two never mixed.
Sources
- Planning Commission — Constitution and functions of the National Development Council
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapter on National Development Council