UPSC Prelims 2014 Q29: Indian Economy – Economic Planning & Five - Year Plans
The main objective of the 12th Five - Year Plan is
- (a) inclusive growth and poverty reduction
- (b) inclusive and sustainable growth
- (c) sustainable and inclusive growth to reduce unemployment
- (d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth
Answer: (d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth
Explanation
Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012 to 2017)
Its theme was 'Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth'.
| Plan | Period | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Tenth | 2002-07 | 8 percent growth; reduction of poverty |
| Eleventh | 2007-12 | 'Faster and More Inclusive Growth' |
| Twelfth | 2012-17 | 'Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth' |
Targets of the Twelfth Plan:
| Area | Target |
|---|---|
| GDP growth | 8 percent (revised from 9 percent) |
| Agriculture | 4 percent growth |
| Poverty | Cut the head-count ratio by 10 percentage points |
| Jobs | 50 million new non-farm work opportunities |
It was the last Five-Year Plan; NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015.
Answer: (d) faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Inclusive growth and poverty reduction' was not the plan's theme.
- (b) Incorrect. The theme has three words; 'faster' is missing here.
- (c) Incorrect. The theme does not mention unemployment.
- (d) CORRECT. The Twelfth Plan aimed at faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth.
Key point
12th Plan (2012-17): 'Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth'; 8 percent growth target; last Five-Year Plan.
Remember
12th Plan = faster, inclusive, sustainable.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the 11th theme (two words) with the 12th (three words).
- Forgetting that 'sustainable' was added in the 12th Plan.
- Thinking a 13th Plan followed; it did not.
Exam tip
11th: faster + inclusive. 12th: faster + inclusive + sustainable.
Sources
- Planning Commission — Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017), Volume I
- NCERT Class XI — Indian Economic Development (Indian Economy 1950-1990: planning)