Research for Planning 1955-57 April, 1957

Abstract

The Planning Commission’s Research Programmes, initiated during India’s First Five-Year Plan, reflect a structured effort to integrate empirical research into national development planning. With an initial allocation of Rs. 56 lakhs, the initiatives focused on socio-economic challenges, encompassing land reforms, cooperative institutions, farm management, regional development, urbanization, savings, investment, and employment. The Research Programmes Committee, established in 1953, collaborated with universities and research institutions to implement 69 approved schemes, while also providing fellowships to support analytical research. Notable studies examined the socio-economic impacts of zamindari abolition, cooperative effectiveness, and urban dynamics. During the Second Plan, research expanded to include macroeconomic analysis, industrial dispersal, and resource mobilization, alongside social welfare studies targeting marginalized groups. Collaboration with foreign institutions and UNESCO further enhanced research quality and relevance. Overall, these initiatives underscore the Planning Commission’s commitment to evidence-based policy-making, fostering long-term socio-economic development through rigorous and applied research.