National Development Council of India (NDC) – Comprehensive Analysis for UPSC Exam Preparation

Table of Contents

1.     What is National Development Council?

2.     History of National Development Council

3.     NDC Objectives

4.     Role of the National Development Council (NDC)

5.     Composition of NDC

6.     National Development Council Functions

7.     National Development Council and NITI Aayog

8.     Relevant Articles, Statutory Laws, and Case Laws

9.     National Development Council for UPSC Exam

10.                        MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

1. What is National Development Council?

The National Development Council, also known as the Rashtriya Vikas Parishad, is an apex body in India responsible for decision-making and deliberations related to development issues. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes key representatives from central and state governments. The NDC was established on August 6, 1952, by an executive resolution and is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body.

2. History of National Development Council

• 1946: The Planning Advisory Board under K.C. Neogi recommended setting up an organization involving provincial states' representatives.

• 1952: The Planning Commission, in its first five-year plan, proposed the formation of the National Development Council to involve states in policy-making and implementation.
• August 6, 1952: NDC was established by an executive resolution based on the recommendations of the first five-year plan of the Planning Commission.

3. NDC Objectives

• Cooperation: Ensure the cooperation of states in executing the national plan.
• Policy Promotion: Promote basic economic policies in all important fields.
• Balanced Development: Maintain balanced and rapid development throughout the country.
• Resource Mobilization: Strengthen and mobilize national efforts and resources in support of the plan.

4. Role of the National Development Council (NDC)

• Consensus Building: Develop a national agenda for holistic growth and socio-economic reconstruction.
• Policy Coordination: Ensure coordinated approach in planning between the centre and states.
• Sarkaria Commission Recommendation: Suggested renaming NDC as the National Economic and Development Council under Article 263 of the constitution.

5. Composition of NDC

• Prime Minister: Chairman of the NDC.
• Deputy Prime Minister: If any.
• 
  
• Central Ministers: Ministers of Finance, Railways, Food and Agriculture, Commerce, Transportation, Irrigation and Power, Labour, Employment, and Rehabilitation.
• Chief Ministers: Chief Ministers of all states.
• Planning Commission Members: Members of the erstwhile Planning Commission.

6. National Development Council Functions

• Plan Formulation: Prescribe the roadmap for the formulation of the national plan.
• Plan Approval: Approve the national plan as prepared by the erstwhile Planning Commission.
• Policy Review: Regularly review national plans and recommend measures for issues arising before achieving national development goals.
• Inter-Governmental Coordination: Bridge the Central Government, State Governments, and Planning Commission in policy implementation.

7. National Development Council and NITI Aayog

Differences between NDC and NITI Aayog

8. Relevant Articles, Statutory Laws, and Case Laws

Relevant Articles of the Constitution

• Article 263: Provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council for the resolution of disputes between states.

Relevant Statutory Laws

• Executive Resolution (1952): Establishment of the National Development Council based on the recommendation of the first five-year plan of the Planning Commission.

Landmark Supreme Court Judgements

• None specific to NDC: However, the role and recommendations of such advisory bodies can be influenced by landmark decisions on cooperative federalism and central-state relations.

9. National Development Council for UPSC Exam

UPSC Notes

• Establishment: Formed on August 6, 1952, by an executive resolution.
• Function: Apex body for policy-making and deliberation on development issues.
• Composition: Includes the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet Ministers, and members of the erstwhile Planning Commission.
• Objectives: Promote cooperation, balanced development, and resource mobilization.

Key Points for UPSC

• NDC is a non-constitutional, non-statutory body.
• It functions as an advisory body to the Planning Commission.
• Plays a crucial role in cooperative federalism and national development planning.

10. MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

1.     What is the full form of NDC?

(a) National Development Commission

(b) National Development Council

(c) National Development Corporation

(d) National Development Committee

Answer: b) National Development Council

2.     When was the National Development Council established?

(a) 1946

(b) 1950

(c) 1952

(d) 1956

Answer: c) 1952

3.     Who is the chairman of the National Development Council?

(a) President of India

(b) Finance Minister

(c) Prime Minister

(d) Chief Justice of India

Answer: c) Prime Minister

4.     Which body provides administrative support to the NDC?

(a) NITI Aayog

(b) Planning Commission

(c) Finance Commission

(d) Election Commission

Answer: b) Planning Commission

5.     Is the National Development Council a constitutional body?

(a) Yes

(b) No

Answer: b) No

6.     Which Article of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council?

(a) Article 263

(b) Article 265

(c) Article 267

(d) Article 269

Answer: a) Article 263

7.     What is the primary function of the National Development Council?

(a) Judicial review

(b) Policy implementation

(c) Formulation and approval of national plans

(d) Legislative drafting

Answer: c) Formulation and approval of national plans

8.     Which commission recommended renaming NDC as the National Economic and Development Council?

(a) Sarkaria Commission

(b) Malimath Committee

(c) Nanavati Commission

(d) Shah Commission

Answer: a) Sarkaria Commission

9.     NDC is an organ of which body?

(a) Finance Commission

(b) Planning Commission

(c) Election Commission

(d) Law Commission

Answer: b) Planning Commission

10.                        Which of the following is NOT a function of the NDC?

(a) Approving national plans

(b) Reviewing national plans

(c) Making judicial appointments

(d) Ensuring cooperation between centre and states

Answer: c) Making judicial appointments

This structured analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the National Development Council (NDC), covering its role, composition, functions, and relevance for UPSC exam preparation.