CHAPTER 3: Forging India’s Economic Future PYQs | CUET UG
1.From CUET 2022.
First five year plan of independent India.
(A) It addressed the agrarian sector
(B) Investment in dams and irrigation facilities were given priority
(C) Planners wanted to raise the national income through rapid industrialisation.
(D) It was formalised by P.C. Mahalanobis
(E) It focused on land reforms in agricultural sector
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(1) (A), (C), (D) Only
(2) (B), (C), (E) Only
(3) (A), (C), (E) Only
(4) (A), (B), (E) Only
Correct Answer: (4) (A), (B), (E) Only
Explanation: The First Five Year Plan primarily focused on the agrarian sector (A), emphasizing investment in dams and irrigation facilities (B), and also prioritizing land reforms in the agricultural sector (E). Rapid industrialization (C) and formalization by P.C. Mahalanobis (D) were characteristic features of the Second Five Year Plan.
2. From CUET 2023.
Second Five Year Plan was drafted under the leadership of:
(1) K.N. Raj
(2) P.C. Mahalanobis
(3) J.C. Kumarappa
(4) Gopal Swamy Iyenger
Correct Answer: (2) P.C. Mahalanobis
Explanation: The Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) was largely conceptualized and drafted under the guidance of the eminent statistician and economist P.C. Mahalanobis, who was a key proponent of India’s rapid industrialization strategy.
3. From CUET 2023.
Name the author of the book “Economy of Permanence”.
(1) J. C. Kumarappa
(2) P. C. Mahalanobis
(3) K. P. S. Menon
(4) Jawahar Lal Nehru
Correct Answer: (1) J. C. Kumarappa
Explanation: J.C. Kumarappa, a prominent Gandhian economist, authored the book “Economy of Permanence.” His work advocated for an economic model rooted in sustainability, local self-sufficiency, and ethical considerations, presenting an alternative perspective to large-scale industrialization during India’s early development debates.
4. From CUET 2023.
Swatantra Party was not against
(A)Land ceiling in agriculture
(B) Cooperative farming
( C)Free private sector
( D) Progressive tax regime
Correct Answer: (3) Free private sector
Explanation: The Swatantra Party, founded in 1959, was established on principles opposing the License Raj, state control, and advocating for a free market economy. Therefore, they actively supported and were not against a free private sector. Their platform challenged many of the socialist-leaning policies of the Congress, such as land ceilings, cooperative farming, and high progressive taxation.
Que 5.Which of the following statements is/are incorrect:
A. The Planning Commission was established in 1950.
B. The First Five Year Plan gave priority to investment in agriculture including dams and irrigation facilities.
C. The Second Five Year Plan emphasized rapid industrialization.
D. P.C. Mahalanobis was the architect of the First Five Year Plan.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A, B, C only
B, C, D only
A, C, D only
D only
Correct Answer: (4) D only
Explanation:
A: The Planning Commission was indeed established in March 1950. (Correct statement)
B: The First Five Year Plan prioritized the agrarian sector and investment in dams and irrigation. (Correct statement)
C: The Second Five Year Plan focused heavily on rapid industrialization and heavy industries. (Correct statement)
D: P.C. Mahalanobis was the architect of the Second Five Year Plan, not the First. K.N. Raj was a key economist involved in drafting the First Plan. (Incorrect statement) Therefore, only statement D is incorrect.
Question 6: Who among the following was known as the ‘‘Milkman of India’’ ?
(1) Arun Krishna
(2) Muljibhai Patel
(3) Verghese Kurien
(4) M.S. Swaminathan
Correct Answer: (3) Verghese Kurien
Explanation: Verghese Kurien, known as the “Milkman of India,” was instrumental in India’s White Revolution, a significant developmental initiative in the post-independence era, often discussed in the context of India’s early economic planning and development.
Question 7: Statement I : The Second Five Year Plan stressed on heavy industries.
Statement II : A bulk of industries like electricity, railways, steel could be developed by the private sector.
(1) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(3) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(4) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Correct Answer: (3) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
Explanation: The Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961) indeed focused on heavy industries. However, during this period, the development of core industries like electricity, railways, and steel was primarily undertaken by the public sector, not the private sector, in line with India’s socialist-inspired economic policy.
Question 8 : A section of the big industrialists got together in 1944 and drafted a joint proposal for setting up a planned economy in the country it was called _______
1. Russian Plan
2. Global Plan
3. Bombay Plan
4. Swiss Plan
Correct Answer: 3. Bombay Plan
Explanation: The Bombay Plan of 1944, a proposal by leading Indian industrialists for a planned economy, reflects the early discussions and ideas about economic development in post-independence India, which directly fed into the Five-Year Plans under Congress rule.
Question 9: Name the founder of Indian Statistical Institute
1. K. N. Raj
2. J C Kumarappa
3. P. D. Raj
4. P C Mahalanobis
Correct Answer: 4. P C Mahalanobis
Explanation: P.C. Mahalanobis was a renowned statistician and the architect of the Second Five-Year Plan, emphasizing heavy industries, which is a key aspect of India’s early economic policy during the era of one-party dominance.
Question 10. Full form of NITI Aayog is
1. National Institution for Transforming India
2. National Institution for Testing India
3. National Institution for Total India
4. national Integration of total India
Correct Answer: 1. National Institution for Transforming India
Explanation: While NITI Aayog was formed much later (2015), it replaced the Planning Commission, which was a cornerstone of India’s economic policy during the “Era of One-Party Dominance.” Understanding the evolution of India’s planning bodies relates to the initial setup of the Indian state
