Polity Chapters

1. Evolution of Indian Constitution2. Constituent Assembly and Making of the Constitution3. Different Sources of the Indian Constitution4. Important Articles of the Constitution5. Important Amendments of the Constitution6. Some Special features of the Indian Constitution7. Federal and Unitary features of the Indian Union8. The Preamble9. Lapse of Paramountcy10. Integration and Merger of Indian States11. The Union and its Territories12. Reorganization of States13. Citizenship14. Fundamental Rights15. Directive Principles of State Policy16. Fundamental Duties17. Procedure of Amending the Constitution18. Executive of the Union19. The Parliament of India20. President of India21. Vice President22. Prime Minister23. Council of Ministers24. Lok Sabha25. Rajya Sabha26. Vidhan Sabha27. Vidhan Parishad28. Governor29. Chief Minister30. State Council of Ministers31. The Parliament of India32. NITI Aayog33. Executive of the States34. Special Position of J and K35. Panchayats36. Municipalities37. The Supreme Court38. The High Court39. Inter-State Council40. Finance Commission41. Planning Commission42. National Development Council43. National Integration Council44. Inter State Relations45. Emergency Provisions46. Public Service Commissions47. Election48. Delimitation Commission of India49. The Official Languages50. National Symbols51. Glossary of Constitutional Terms

National Development Council (NDC)

Introduction

  • The National Development Council (NDC) was established on 6th August 1952.
  • It was neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body; it was set up by an executive resolution of the Government of India.
  • The objective was to strengthen and mobilize the effort and resources of the nation in support of the Plan.
  • NDC acted as a platform for cooperative federalism between the Centre and the States.

Composition

  • Prime Minister of India – Chairman
  • All Union Cabinet Ministers
  • Chief Ministers of all States
  • Administrators of Union Territories
  • Members of the erstwhile Planning Commission (until 2014)

Functions

  • To give final approval to the Five-Year Plans prepared by the Planning Commission.
  • To review the implementation of the plans and suggest measures for achieving the plan targets.
  • To promote coordination between the Centre and the States.
  • To strengthen and mobilize national efforts and resources in support of the Plan.

Relation with Planning Commission

  • The Planning Commission used to draft the plans, which were then approved by the NDC.
  • The NDC acted as the supreme body for decision-making and deliberations on development matters.
  • It ensured participation of states in planning and implementation processes.

Post-NITI Aayog Status

  • After the dissolution of the Planning Commission in 2014 and the establishment of NITI Aayog, the role of NDC became obsolete.
  • NITI Aayog’s Governing Council now performs a similar function by including Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors.
  • NDC has not been formally abolished, but no meetings have been held since the formation of NITI Aayog.

Previous Year Questions

  • SSC CGL 2015: The National Development Council is...
  • A non-constitutional and non-statutory body
  • RRB NTPC 2016: Who is the Chairman of the National Development Council?
  • The Prime Minister of India
  • HSSC 2019: Which body used to approve the Five-Year Plans?
  • National Development Council
Did You Know? Even though NDC hasn’t been officially scrapped, no meetings have been conducted since 2014, and its role has been subsumed by NITI Aayog.

Conclusion

The National Development Council played a crucial role in India’s planning era, providing a platform for policy dialogue between the Centre and States. Although its importance declined with the emergence of NITI Aayog, its legacy in cooperative federalism continues.

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