Planning and Economic Development: Nehruvian and Gandhian perspectives; the role of planning and public sector; Green Revolution, land reforms and agrarian relations; liberalization and economic reforms.
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Answer in about 150 words: Discuss the impact of liberalization on agriculture sector in India. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | Land Reform programmes led to some constitutional amendments. Comment. | View answer |
| 2025 | With reference to Peruvian experience of planning and economic development, examine how the early phase of economic planning in India has laid the foundation for future development. | View answer |
| 2025 | The decision to conduct Population Census-2027 has reopened the debate on delimitation in India. Discuss its various aspects. | View answer |
| 2024 | The legacy of the Planning Commission still has a bearing on India’s development policies. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2024 | The blueprint of Gram Swaraj is the key to understand the Gandhian perspective on planning. Discuss. | View answer |
| 2023 | How does NITI Aayog as a ‘policy think tank with a shared vision’ visualize the reorganization of planning in India? Justify your answer. | View answer |
| 2022 | Discuss the policy initiatives of the Fourteenth Finance Commission aimed towards promising and strengthening agricultural development in India. | View answer |
| 2021 | What explains India's modest improvements in social development outcomes even as the rate of growth has accelerated since the initiation of economic reforms? | View answer |
| 2020 | 'Liberalisation of Indian Economy has not been accompanied with adequate reforms'. Comment. | View answer |
| 2019 | What has been the political fallout of the Green Revolution in India? Explain. | View answer |
| 2018 | Exmine the various causes of agrarian crisis in India. | View answer |
| 2017 | In the post-liberalization era, Indian politics is moving from ascriptive politics to developmental politics. Comment. | View answer |
| 2017 | What do you understand by Green Revolution? Do you think that a Second Green Revolution is needed to adequately address the agrarian challenge in contemporary India? Examine. | View answer |
| 2016 | Critically examine the politics of Economic growth in India. | View answer |
| 2016 | Land reforms have failed in the eradication of rural poverty. Comment. | View answer |
| 2015 | Comment in 150 words: Structure and Function of NITI Aayog. | View answer |
| 2015 | Compare the Nehruvian and Gandhian models of development. | View answer |
| 2013 | Comment in 150 words: Gandhian perspective of development and its contemporary relevance. | View answer |
| 2012 | Critically examine Green Revolution as a strategy for sustainable agricultural development. | View answer |
| 2010 | Comment: Economic liberalisation and uneven development among Indian States. | View answer |
| 2010 | Do you think that the post-1991 reforms in India mark a significant shift from the Nehruvian model of economic development? Justify your answer. | View answer |
| 2008 | Comment: The correlation between democracy and development in India. | View answer |
| 2007 | Comment: Nehru's views on socialism. | View answer |
| 2006 | Comment: Decentralized Planning. | View answer |
| 2002 | Comment: New Economic Policy 1991. | View answer |
| 2002 | It is generally believed that federalism suffers in a system of centralized planning. Do you agree with this point of view? Would you advocate 'decentralized governance' for India in the context of liberalization since 1991. | View answer |
| 2001 | Comment: Impact of disinvestment and privatization on planning in India. | View answer |
| 1997 | Comment: Political Dimensions of Development Administration. | View answer |
| 1993 | Comment: Economic liberalisation in India. | View answer |
| 1991 | Comment: Jawaharlal Nehru on Socialism and Secularism. | View answer |
| 1991 | 'Planning has superseded the federation and our country is functioning almost like a unitary system in many respects.' In the light of the statement, examine the recent trends in Indian Federalism. | View answer |
Syllabus unit: Planning and Economic Development
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
Two ways to prepare with us — the full self-study system, or just the notes you need right now.
| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
| Access | Valid until UPSC CSE Mains 2027 | Instant download after payment |
| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
| Best for | Aspirants who want the whole system in one place | Aspirants who want the notes now, in the parts they need |



I think these topics reflect how debates around federalism, economic liberalization, and decentralization have remained important in understanding India’s political and administrative evolution. The balance between centralized planning and state autonomy is still relevant today, and I find discussions like this intellectually engaging compared to the lighter entertainment I get from playing smash karts unblocked online.