SSC GD 2025 PYQ — Question 37

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Third Plan.

• The Five-Year Plan that aimed at making India self-reliant and saw its focus shift to 'Defense and Development' due to external aggression and economic constraints was the Third Plan (1961–1966).
• The plan's original objective was to achieve a "self-reliant and self-generating" economy. However, it was severely disrupted by a confluence of unforeseen crises:
  • Sino-Indian War (1962): Required a massive diversion of resources toward defense spending.
  • Indo-Pakistani War (1965): Further strained the national economy and diverted funds.
  • Severe Drought (1965–1966): Caused a massive decline in agricultural production, leading to food shortages and inflation.
• As a result, the priority shifted from ambitious development goals to the immediate necessity of strengthening the nation's military and securing food supplies, leading to a much lower actual growth rate (2.8%) against the target (5.6%).

Other Options:

• Fourth Plan (1969–1974): This plan had the main objectives of 'Growth with Stability' and the progressive achievement of self-reliance (a term also associated with it). 
• Sixth Plan (1980–1985): The primary goals were 'Poverty Eradication' (through schemes like IRDP) and 'Technological Self-Reliance' (modernization), following a brief period of a 'Rolling Plan.'
• Seventh Plan (1985–1990): This plan's main thrust was on 'Food, Work, and Productivity' to accelerate food grain production and increase employment opportunities.