Here are all 46 Plans and Priorities questions asked in UPSC Public Administration Optional Paper II from 1995 to 2026, arranged under the 5 topics of the official syllabus. Within each topic the latest questions come first.
Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.
5.1] Machinery of planning
11 questions
Planning Commission planned for economic development and social justice, but NITI Aayog has been structured to realise growth potential across the sectors. Discuss. [2026/20m/3a]
Trace the reasons for limited effectiveness of the NITI Aayog. [2025/10m/150w/1b]
The National Data and Analysis Platform (NDAP) of NITI Aayog facilitates a robust ecosystem to promote democratisation and inclusivity in development. Discuss. [2024/20m/2a]
“National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has become super cabinet in formulating the development agenda of our country.” Examine the statement by giving suitable examples. [2022/20m/3b]
NITI Aayog has been constituted to implement the goal of co-operative federalism. Discuss. [2021/10m/150w/5b]
‘NITI Aayog’ has changed the way India strategized for economic development, but its effectiveness is yet to be seen, especially when its financial powers are far less than its predecessor. Analyze. [2019/20m/8a]
It is argued that the NITI Aayog has broken the edifice of planning into fragments. Comment. [2018/20m/2b]
“Planning in India has failed to meet the challenges of economic development and social change.” Discuss the statement in the context of the emergence of NITI Aayog. [2016/10m/3c]
The objectives, approaches and organisational arrangements for decision-making of the NITI Aayog aim at restoring the federal character of the Indian polity. Explain. [2015/20m/3a]
“Planning enables comprehensive and scientific understanding of problems.” Examine the statement in the context of planning methodology. [2013/10m/150w/1e]
Comment on: “Indian planning is highly centralized.” [2003/20m/200w/5d]
5.2] Planning Commission and National Development Council: role, composition and functions
10 questions
How far do you agree with the view that the National Development Council (NDC) could resonate the demands of State governments as long as the Planning Commission is kept subservient to it? Critically examine. [2014/20m/4b]
Discuss the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission in respect of the National Development Council for improving Centre-State planning relations. [2012/20m/4b]
Explain the context and perspectives of the following statements: (i) The Planning Commission is “an armchair adviser”. (ii) The Planning Commission should reinvent itself as a systems reforms commission in the backdrop of changed global and domestic scenarios. [2010/30m/6a]
“National Development Council is criticized as an usurping authority – functioning as a virtual super-cabinet.” Explain. [2005/30m/7b]
Comment on: “National Development Council was established to co-ordinate between Union government, the Planning Commission and the State governments.” [2004/20m/200w/5c]
Comment on: “National Development Council has virtually become a super-cabinet and tries to arrogate itself the functions of Parliament.” [2002/20m/200w/5c]
Comment on: “National Development Council, it seems, is like a super-Cabinet.” [2000/20m/200w/1c]
Comment on: “The Planning Commission continues to exist but some would say that it is withering away, along with real planning itself.” [1999/20m/200w/1a]
“For national planning, the commission type of organisation was deliberately preferred.” Examine the statement. [1997/30m/3b]
“After the creation of the Planning Commission, the role of the Finance Commission has started diminishing.” Review the statement. [1996/60m/4]
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6 questions
The present model of strategic planning has roots in indicative planning. Comment. [2026/10m/150w/1c]
“Indicative Planning is a middle path of planning and market mechanism to ensure coordination between public and private activities.” Explain. [2022/10m/2c]
Considering India’s diversity, the planning pattern of ‘one-size-fits-all’ was discarded in favour of indicative planning. To what extent has it been useful to India? [2020/10m/150w/1d]
“In the transition from the State-led economy to the market economy, India should rely more on ‘indicative planning’.” Do you agree? Explain your position. [2018/10m/4c]
(i) Explain the emerging ambiguity in respect of the developmental role of the District Collector in the wake of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. (10) (ii) Justify ‘indicative’ planning in the context of LPG. (10) [2012/20m/3b]
“From highly centralized planning system, India has moved towards indicative planning under which long-term strategic vision of the future is built and nation’s priorities are decided.” Elucidate. [2005/60m/6]
5.4] Process of plan formulation at Union and State levels
7 questions
“Attempts to prepare unified and holistic plans for the country are complex and full of challenges.” Discuss. [2023/20m/3b]
What are the tension areas in Union-State relations in Planning? [2008/30m/3a]
Discuss the problems in the planning process at the state and sub-state levels. [2008/30m/3b]
“Effective implementation of plan projects has been the weakest link in the chain of the entire planning programme.” Elucidate. [2004/30m/7b]
Comment on: “State and district planning bodies in India have not been effective in achieving their goals.” [1998/20m/200w/1d]
“Conceptually, district planning introduces a spatial dimension to the planning process at the state level.” Examine, in this context, the role of district planning in practice in different states. [1995/60m/4]
“Development administration ultimately boils down to effective project implementation, and it is implementation that has been badly neglected in Indian planning.” Critically examine the statement. [1995/30m/7a]
5.5] Constitutional Amendments (1992) and decentralized planning for economic development and social justice
12 questions
Decentralized planning in India signifies a shift towards context-sensitive development, but inadequate resources and local politics complicate the realization of social justice goals. Comment. [2025/10m/4c]
Decentralised planning enhances economic development and social justice. Analyse. [2024/10m/2c]
Despite the constitutional status, the District planning committees remained a non-entity in preparation and implementation of plans. Discuss. [2022/10m/3c]
It is observed that non-functioning of District Planning Committees is preventing the convergence of rural and urban planning needs. Do you agree? Justify. [2019/20m/4b]
“District Planning Committee (DPC) has been the weakest structure in the local self-government mechanism in India.” Analyse with examples. [2017/10m/4c]
Why has District Planning been marginalised in many States and remained prominent in a few States? Explain. [2015/10m/150w/1c]
“Decentralised governance must serve as an instrument of realising social change and social justice.” Comment on the statement. [2015/10m/3c]
Despite the adoption of decentralized planning, participatory initiatives remain marginalized and divisive in many regions. Discuss. [2014/10m/150w/1d]
“Absence of District Planning Committees in a large number of districts has prevented convergence of planning at the district level.” Examine the above statement with examples. [2011/20m/200w/5c]
‘Economic Development and Social justice are the hallmarks of the 1992 Constitutional Amendment Acts.’ Elucidate. [2008/20m/200w/1b]
“In spite of having Constitutional status the District Planning Committee is not able to implement decentralised planning due to centralised nature of economic planning.” Comment. [2007/20m/200w/5c]
Comment on: “Although District Planning Committee and Metropolitan Planning Committees have been provided, those remain mostly on paper.” [2001/20m/200w/5c]
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Last updated: 30 October 2026