NITI Aayog & Planning — Set 6
Economy Advanced · नीति आयोग और नियोजन · Questions 51–60 of 120
The Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) introduced the:
Correct Answer: A. Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
The Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) introduced the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) as a flagship rural poverty alleviation scheme. The plan focused on poverty alleviation, minimum needs, and rural development. The Sixth Plan replaced the rolling plans of the Janata Party government. It achieved a growth rate of 5.4% against a target of 5.2%.
The concept of 'core sector' industries was significant during the planning era. Which of the following was NOT typically part of the core sector?
Correct Answer: D. Textiles
Textiles was NOT typically part of the core sector industries during India's planning era. The core sector typically included infrastructure industries like steel, coal, electricity, cement, crude oil, refinery products, natural gas, and fertilizers. These eight industries are monitored for their Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI). Core industries were prioritized because of their backward and forward linkages to the rest of the economy.
The 'Second Five Year Plan' emphasized which type of industrialization?
Correct Answer: C. Heavy capital goods and basic industries
The Second Five Year Plan (1956-61) emphasized heavy capital goods and basic industries as per the Mahalanobis model. The logic was that investment in capital goods production would enable greater production of consumer goods in the future. Major public sector undertakings like Bhilai, Durgapur, and Rourkela steel plants were set up during this period. This approach was influenced by the Soviet planning model.
The 'Seventh Five Year Plan' (1985-90) is associated with which PM?
Correct Answer: B. Rajiv Gandhi
The Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) was associated with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It focused on modernization, technology upgradation, and improving productivity in agriculture and industry. The Seventh Plan had the theme 'Food, Work and Productivity'. It achieved impressive 5.8% growth. Rajiv Gandhi's tenure also saw the introduction of computers in India on a large scale.
NITI Aayog's 'School Education Quality Index' (SEQI) ranks states on:
Correct Answer: B. Education quality outcomes
NITI Aayog's School Education Quality Index (SEQI) ranks states and UTs on education quality outcomes including learning outcomes, access, equity, and governance. It was developed to create accountability in the education system through competitive federalism. States like Rajasthan, Chandigarh, and Tamil Nadu have performed well. The index uses data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE).
The 'Eight Core Industries' Index (ICI) in India does NOT include which sector?
Correct Answer: C. Gold
Gold is NOT included in the Eight Core Industries Index (ICI). The eight core industries are: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity. Together they account for about 40.27% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The core sector data is released monthly by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Electricity has the highest weight at 19.85%.
Which plan introduced the concept of 'lead bank scheme' for banking development in rural India?
Correct Answer: B. Fourth Plan
The Lead Bank Scheme was introduced in 1969-70, which falls in the Fourth Five Year Plan period (1969-74). The scheme was based on recommendations of the Gadgil Study Group and the Nariman Committee. Under the scheme, each district is assigned to a lead bank that coordinates credit planning. Bank nationalization in July 1969 was a major event of this plan period.
Which of the following is the correct sequence of NITI Aayog Vice-Chairpersons?
Correct Answer: B. Arvind Panagariya → Rajiv Kumar → Suman Bery
The correct sequence of NITI Aayog Vice-Chairpersons is: Arvind Panagariya (2015-2017), Rajiv Kumar (2017-2022), and Suman Bery (2022-present). Arvind Panagariya was an economics professor at Columbia University before being appointed. Rajiv Kumar was previously with FICCI and CII. Suman Bery had worked at World Bank and NCAER. Each served for approximately 5 years except Panagariya who served 2 years.
The concept of 'Plan Holiday' in India refers to:
Correct Answer: B. A period when Annual Plans replaced Five Year Plans
'Plan Holiday' refers to the periods when Annual Plans replaced Five Year Plans. There were two such periods: 1966-69 (three annual plans after the Third Plan) due to the wars and economic difficulties, and 1979-80 (one annual plan) due to political instability when the Janata government fell. During these periods, individual annual plans were prepared instead of a comprehensive five-year plan.
'Aspirational Districts Programme' is monitored using which platform?
Correct Answer: C. Champions of Change dashboard
The Aspirational Districts Programme is monitored using the 'Champions of Change' dashboard developed by NITI Aayog. This real-time dashboard tracks the progress of 112 aspirational districts on key performance indicators. The dashboard enables competitive ranking of districts and promotes 'competitive federalism' at the district level. NITI Aayog officials and state teams regularly review the dashboard data.