Consider the following statements: 1. The National Development Coun

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. The National Development Council is an organ of the Planning Commission.
  • 2. The Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the National Development Council.
  • 3. The National Development Council is a statutory body.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
Statements 1 and 2 are correct.
– Statement 1: The National Development Council (NDC) was a body closely associated with the Planning Commission. While not formally an ‘organ of’ the Planning Commission in the sense of being a subordinate part, the NDC was the highest decision-making body for approving Five Year Plans formulated by the Planning Commission. Members of the Planning Commission were also members of the NDC. Given the options, this statement is likely intended to be interpreted as reflecting the close functional relationship and oversight role of the NDC over the planning process led by the Planning Commission.
– Statement 2: The Prime Minister of India was the ex-officio Chairman of the National Development Council. This is a factual detail about the composition and leadership of the NDC.
– Statement 3: The National Development Council was neither a constitutional body (established by the Constitution) nor a statutory body (established by an Act of Parliament). It was established in 1952 by an Executive Resolution of the Union Cabinet. Therefore, it was an extra-constitutional, non-statutory body. This statement is incorrect.
– The National Development Council was dissolved along with the Planning Commission when NITI Aayog was established in 2015. Its role and composition were significant during the era of Five Year Plans.
– The NDC comprised the Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States, Chief Ministers/Administrators of Union Territories, and members of the Planning Commission.
– Its main functions were to prescribe guidelines for plan formulation, consider the national plan, and make recommendations for achieving plan targets.