Which of the following bodies is entrusted with the final approval of India's Five-Year Plans during the era of centralized economic planning?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The National Development Council, established in August 1952, was responsible for the final review and approval of the Five-Year Plans formulated by the Planning Commission before they were presented to Parliament. Unlike other planning bodies, the National Development Council included the Prime Minister as its chairman and all Union Cabinet Ministers along with Chief Ministers of all states. The Planning Commission merely drafted the proposals without executive ratification powers from state heads. The National Development Council stood as the apex body for ensuring cooperative federalism in national planning. The Prime Minister of India also chairs the governing council of NITI Aayog.