Indian Economy 1950-1990
Class 11 · Economics
4 ideas in Class 11 Economics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Goals of Five-Year Plans
Part of: Planning Goals and Agriculture
Growth expands output; modernisation upgrades tech; self-reliance cuts import dependence; equity shares gains; goals conflict and shift across plans.
Why it matters. Goals steer policy. Conflicts force choices.
Key words
- Growth
- : Rise in national output aimed by the plans.
- Modernisation
- : Upgrading technology and methods across sectors.
- Self-reliance
- : Cutting dependence on foreign aid and imports.
- Equity
- : Fairer sharing of growth across people.
- Planning Commission
- : Body set up in 1950 to frame the five-year plans.
Try it in two minutes
- Name the four goals.
- Spot the conflict.
- Track plan shifts.
Try at home. Rank goals for your town.
Land Reforms
Part of: Planning Goals and Agriculture
Zamindari abolition freed tenants; land ceilings capped holdings; surplus redistributed to landless; implementation lagged in many states.
Why it matters. Ownership reform targets equity. Lags teach execution gaps.
Key words
- Abolishing intermediaries
- : Ending zamindari so tenants deal with the state.
- Land ceiling
- : Maximum holding limit with surplus for the landless.
- Consolidation
- : Merging scattered plots into workable fields.
- Benami transfers
- : Hidden ownership transfers dodging ceiling laws.
- Tenancy reform
- : Reform shielding sharecroppers and tenants.
- Kerala and West Bengal
- : Best-performing reform states cited in the chapter.
Try it in two minutes
- Remove intermediaries.
- Cap big holdings.
- Give surplus away.
Try at home. Debate land caps.
Green Revolution
Part of: Green Revolution and Industry
HYV seeds with fertiliser and irrigation lifted wheat and rice; Punjab-Haryana led; surplus farmers gained most; prices stabilised nationally.
Why it matters. Technology ended food dependence. Gaps warn about equity.
Key words
- HYV seeds
- : High Yielding Variety seeds lifting wheat and rice output.
- Green package
- : Seed-fertiliser-irrigation bundle behind the yield jump.
- Punjab and Haryana
- : Lead states of the first green revolution wave.
- Self-sufficiency
- : Enough home grain output to meet national needs.
- Support price
- : Assured floor price protecting farmer income.
- Uneven benefits
- : Gains favouring surplus farmers over small ones.
Try it in two minutes
- Sow HYV seeds.
- Add water, fertiliser.
- Share the surplus.
Try at home. Compare wheat yields online.
Industry and Trade Policy
Part of: Green Revolution and Industry
Public sector led heavy industry; licensing directed investment; small scale reserved jobs; import substitution replaced foreign goods.
Why it matters. State-led growth built base. Controls later needed reform.
Key words
- Public sector lead
- : State-led steel, power and machine industries.
- Industrial licensing
- : Permit system directing new industrial capacity.
- Small-scale reservation
- : Job protection for tiny units through reserved items.
- Import substitution
- : Making foreign goods at home behind barriers.
- Inward-looking policy
- : Protectionist trade stance of 1950 to 1990.
Try it in two minutes
- Lead with public units.
- Reserve small scale.
- Substitute imports.
Try at home. Spot public sector brands.
What your child will practise
- Goals of Five-Year Plans: Candy Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Goals of Five-Year Plans: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Green Revolution: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Industry and Trade Policy: Jungle Quest (Flip and Match)
- Land Reforms: Ocean Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Quiz: Goals of Five-Year Plans (8 questions)
- Quiz: Green Revolution (8 questions)
- Quiz: Industry and Trade Policy (8 questions)
- Quiz: Land Reforms (8 questions)