Economic Planning in India
Economic planning in India is a systematic approach to resource allocation to promote balanced economic development and address the needs of a vast and diverse population. Since 1951, India has operated a series of Five-Year Plans aimed at fostering growth in various sectors and improving the standard of living of its citizens. These plans have served as critical insights into the priorities of the Indian government regarding economic policy and development.
In 2015, the structure of economic planning underwent a major transformation with the introduction of the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India). The NITI Aayog replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission, focusing on a more flexible and holistic framework for policy-making. Its role is primarily to serve as a think tank that drives cooperation between the central and state governments, thereby ensuring that the resources are allocated effectively to meet diverse regional needs and foster inclusive growth.
These two institutions—Five-Year Plans and NITI Aayog—highlight the evolution of India's approach to economic planning and the continuing commitment to strategic economic development.