The Planning Commission was the nodal body for central planning in India. Who served  as the first Chairman of the Planning Commission?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) Jawaharlal Nehru

Explanation:

·       Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, served as the first Chairman of the Planning Commission of India.

·       The Planning Commission was established in March 1950 through an executive resolution of the Government of India, with the aim of promoting a planned and balanced economic development.

·       As Chairman, Nehru played a leading role in formulating India’s Five-Year Plans, beginning with the First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956).

Information Booster:

·       The Planning Commission was tasked with:

o   Assessing and allocating resources

o   Setting priorities for development

o   Preparing Five-Year Plans

·       It was not a constitutional or statutory body but functioned as an advisory body to the central government.

·       The Commission was dissolved in 2014 and replaced by the NITI Aayog, which focuses on a bottom-up approach to planning.

Additional Knowledge:

(B) B.R. Ambedkar:

• Known for his role in drafting the Indian Constitution and work on social reforms, not economic planning.

(C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel:

• Played a key role in integrating princely states, but was not involved in chairing the Planning Commission.

(D) C.D. Deshmukh:

• First Indian Governor of the RBI and later Finance Minister, but not the Chairman of the Planning Commission.