The Nehru-Mahalanobis Strategy of Development was implemented for the first time by which one of the following Five-Year plans?

The Nehru-Mahalanobis Strategy of Development was implemented for the first time during the Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961) [3]. While the First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar model and focused primarily on the agricultural sector to address food shortages and refugee rehabilitation, the Second Plan shifted focus toward rapid industrialization [1]. Developed by statistician P.C. Mahalanobis, this strategy emphasized investment in heavy and capital goods industries within the public sector to achieve long-term self-reliance [3]. This model was inspired by Soviet planning and aimed to create a socialist pattern of society by prioritizing basic industries like steel and power over consumer goods [1]. The strategy continued to influence Indian economic planning through the Third Five-Year Plan until the mid-1960s [3].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 6: Indian Economy [1947 – 2014] > 2nd Five Year Plan (1956 - 61) > p. 207
2. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 38: Developments under Nehru’s Leadership (1947-64) > Concept of Planning for Economic Development > p. 645