The First Five-Year Plan in India focused primarily on which sector of the economy?

Correct option is B

The correct option is: (b) Agricultural development

• The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) marked India's first structured attempt at economic planning post-independence.

• It emphasized agriculture as the foundational sector to ensure food security, combat poverty, and stabilize the economy.

• The plan aimed to increase crop productivity and reduce dependence on food imports, especially after the Bengal Famine and Partition disruptions.

• Model Followed: Harrod–Domar model focusing on investment-led growth.

• Plan Duration: Spanned five years, from 1951 to 1956.

• Total Outlay: ₹2,069 crore; majority allocated to agriculture and irrigation.

• Key Programs Introduced: Community Development Programme (1952) and Land Reforms.

• Contribution to GDP: Agriculture sector saw notable growth, with improved food grain production.

• Institutional Role: The Planning Commission was responsible for designing and monitoring the plan.

• Industrialisation was the priority of the Second Five-Year Plan, focusing on heavy industries.

• Service sector expansion gained traction post-1990s with liberalisation reforms.

• Infrastructure development was supported but not the primary focus of the first plan.