In which of the Five-Year Plans was 'The Twenty Point Programme' launched?

The correct answer is Fifth Five-Year Plan.

Key Points

• The Twenty Point Programme was launched in India during the Fifth Five-Year Plan period (1974-79).
• It was introduced by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 1st July 1975.
• The programme aimed at poverty eradication, employment generation, and improvement of quality of life.
• The focus was on areas like health, education, housing, and social welfare to uplift the marginalized sections of society.

Additional Information

• Five-Year Plans in India
  • India's Five-Year Plans were centralized economic and social growth programs modeled after the Soviet Union's planning system.
  • The first Five-Year Plan was launched in 1951, focusing on agriculture and infrastructure development.
  • The plans aimed to achieve self-reliant and robust economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving living standards.
• Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-79)
  • It aimed at economic self-reliance and poverty reduction, with a focus on employment generation.
  • Major projects included the National Program for Minimum Needs and the Twenty Point Programme.
  • The plan faced challenges due to the global oil crisis and inflationary pressures.
• Indira Gandhi's Policies
  • Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, introduced several socio-economic reforms in the 1970s.
  • Her policies focused on poverty alleviation, land reforms, and increasing agricultural productivity.
  • She nationalized banks in 1969 to ensure credit availability to the underprivileged.
• Poverty Alleviation Programs
  • India has implemented various programs to alleviate poverty, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
  • These programs aim to provide employment, improve infrastructure, and support vulnerable populations.