Under which plan, for the first time, was the private sector given priority over the public sector?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Seventh Five-Year Plan.

• The Seventh Five-Year Plan (1985–1990) was the first time the private sector was given priority over the public sector in India's economic planning.
• The plan aimed to promote industrial growth and economic efficiency by encouraging private sector participation while continuing to focus on the public sector for infrastructure and basic industries.

Information about the other Options:

• Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980–1985): Focused on poverty eradication and employment generation through public sector initiatives like the Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP).
• Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002–2007): Aimed to reduce poverty and improve human development indicators, with no major shift in favor of the private sector.
• Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961): Prioritized heavy industries and the public sector based on the Mahalanobis Model, emphasizing the role of the state in economic development.

Additional Information:

• The Indian Economy was premised on planning based on five-year plans from 1951-2017.
• Planning Commission was established in 1950 with the Prime Minister as its Chairperson.
• First Year (1951-56) plan based on the Harrod Domar Model.Its main focus on the agricultural development of the country.
• The last five-year plan was operationalized between 2012-17.