Community Development Programme was launched by the Government of India on:

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) 2 October 1952

Explanation:
• The Community Development Programme (CDP) was the first major rural development initiative in independent India.
• It was launched on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 1952.
• The programme was initially started with 55 projects across the country, covering about 16,500 villages.
• The primary objective was to promote holistic development in rural areas including agriculture, health, education, and communications through people's participation.
• It was based on the philosophy of "Self-Help" and "Cooperation."

Information Booster:
• The CDP was launched with financial and technical assistance from the Ford Foundation and the United States.
• The failure of the CDP to achieve its objectives led to the appointment of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957, which recommended the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
• The post of BDO (Block Development Officer) was created as a result of this programme.

Additional Knowledge:
• 2 October 1950 (Option B): Though Gandhi Jayanti, it was too early for the formal CDP launch.
• 2 October 1954 (Option C): By this time, the programme had already been expanded into the National Extension Service (NES), launched in 1953.
• 2 October 1959: The first three-tier Panchayati Raj system was inaugurated in Nagaur, Rajasthan.