Explain the important objectives of the 10th Five Year Plan.
In short
The 10th Five Year Plan (2002-2007) aimed for 8% annual GDP growth to double per capita income within a decade and create 50 million jobs. It also sought to cut poverty by 5 percentage points by 2007 and to decentralise planning through states and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 273 words
Growth and Income Doubling
Targeted 8% GDP growth to double per capita income, enhancing productive capacity and living standards.
Employment Generation
Emphasized creating 50 million jobs, especially in labour-intensive sectors, to leverage the demographic dividend.
Poverty Reduction and Social Equity
Aimed to cut the poverty ratio of about 26% by 5 percentage points by 2007, ensuring growth benefits reached poor and marginalized groups.
Decentralized Planning and Governance
Advocated greater Panchayati Raj and state involvement for cooperative federalism and accountability.
Growth Performance
Achieved 7.6% GDP growth, led by industry and services; agriculture showed modest gains amid rural challenges.
Poverty and Employment Gaps
Poverty reduction lagged due to regional disparities and skill mismatches; employment growth was insufficient.
Fiscal Consolidation
Focused on reducing revenue deficits via tax reforms and subsidy rationalization for sustainable investment.
Social Indicators
Literacy and gender gaps improved; rural infrastructure lagged, especially in Rayalaseema.
Skill Development
Targeted training aligned with industry needs to reduce structural unemployment.
Rural Infrastructure
Irrigation and rural connectivity, as under Bharat Nirman (2005), to boost agriculture, especially in Rayalaseema.
Inclusive Growth Policies
Wider safety nets, as NREGA (2005) began to provide, including in Andhra Pradesh.
Governance
Empower local bodies with fiscal autonomy for better service delivery.
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