‘Community Development Programme’ was started in the year

Correct option is A

The correct answer is 1952.
The Community Development Programme (CDP) was launched by the Government of India on 2nd October 1952, marking the first major rural development initiative in the post-independence era. It was designed to transform rural life holistically through multi-sectoral development, including agriculture, irrigation, education, health, sanitation, housing, and social welfare.
The programme was based on community participation, where local people planned and implemented projects. It sought to create a model for self-sustaining rural development, emphasizing self-help and cooperative effort among villagers.
Information Booster:
· The pilot phase of the programme covered 55 development blocks, with each block catering to about 400–500 villages.
· The aim was to promote economic and social development using existing resources and increasing community involvement.
· Financial and technical support was provided by the government, and the emphasis was placed on people's participation.
· It laid the foundation for future rural development schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Additional Knowledge:
· 1955: Not associated with CDP but saw expansion of rural development initiatives.
· 1957: Significant for the launch of the Panchayati Raj system based on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.