Post-independent India was struggling to rise from the ill effects of colonial exploitation i.e., from poverty and underdevelopment. The objectives of development in India were hence directed towards resolving these issues.
The goals of development include:
(i) Modernisation of the economy: The focus was on industrialization, which would increase employment facilities as well national income.
(ii) Land Reforms: aimed to free up land which was concentrated in the hands of a few rich landholders (zamindars).
(iii) Agriculture: The focus was to reduce rural poverty by developing agriculture. The use of machines, better fertilizers and pesticides, high yielding seeds, and irrigation would help to increase agricultural production i.e., through the Green Revolution.
(iv) Self-reliance: Although foreign aid was accepted by India for its industrial and infrastructural development, it did not want to be dependent on foreign capital for long.
(v) Socialist pattern of the economy: India decided to adopt the socialist pattern of the economy towards creating a Welfare State and reducing inequalities of wealth and income. The Planning Commission was created and 5-year plans were implemented.
