Which Five-Year Plan focused on heavy industries?

Question

Which Five-Year Plan focused on heavy industries?

1. A. First
2. B. Second (Correct answer)
3. C. Third
4. D. Fourth

Correct Answer

Option B — Second

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Second.

Key Points

• The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61), built on the Mahalanobis model, prioritised heavy industry — steel, coal, power and machinery — to lay an industrial base and reduce import dependence.
• It launched the Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants and expanded the public sector.
• Contrast: the First Plan (1951–56) focused on agriculture and irrigation after Partition.
• Pairing each early plan with its theme (First → agriculture, Second → heavy industry) is a reliable one-mark grab.