Who was the first Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India?

Correct option is B

Sol: The correct answer is (b) Gulzarilal Nanda

Key Points:

• The Planning Commission was an important department of the Indian government, established on March 15, 1950, to oversee the economic and social development of the nation, primarily through the formulation of Five-Year Plans. The Prime Minister of India, as the head of the government, also served as the Chairman of the Planning Commission. Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, was the first Chairman of the Planning Commission.
• Gulzarilal Nanda, a former Indian Prime Minister, served as the first Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from February 17, 1953, until September 21, 1963. The Deputy Chairperson was appointed by the Central Cabinet, while the Prime Minister functioned as the ex-officio Chair of the Planning Commission.
• The Planning Commission was eventually abolished and replaced by the NITI Aayog in 2015. Notably, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia also served as a Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission during its later years.

Information booster:

Jawaharlal Nehru:

• Jawaharlal Nehru, as the first Prime Minister of India, served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Planning Commission from its inception in 1950 until his death in 1964.
• Nehru was instrumental in introducing the concept of Five-Year Plans, inspired by the Soviet model, to focus on economic and social development.

​Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel:

• Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the Iron Man of India, was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
• He is best known for his pivotal role in integrating 565 princely states into the Union of India, ensuring political unity.

KC Neogy:​

• Kshitish Chandra Neogy, popularly known as KC Neogy, was a politician from West Bengal, India. He served as the chairman of India's first finance commission and was a member of the country's first independent cabinet as well as the Indian Constituent Assembly.