Planning in India — Policy Changes

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	This amendment significantly strengthened the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) by giving them precedence over Fundamental Rights in certain cases and adding new DPSP like Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid), Article 43A (participation of workers in management of industries), and Article 48A (protection and improvement of environment).	The 42nd Amendment reinforced the constitutional mandate for state intervention in economic and social spheres, providing a stronger legal basis for planned development aimed at social justice and environmental protection. It underscored the socialist aspirations embedded in India's planning philosophy, though later judicial pronouncements (Minerva Mills case) re-established the balance between FR and DPSP.
73rd and 74th Amendment Acts	1992	These landmark amendments constitutionalized Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) respectively, granting them constitutional status and powers for local self-governance, including the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice.	These amendments brought about a significant decentralization of planning, moving it closer to the grassroots. They mandated the creation of District Planning Committees (DPCs) and Metropolitan Planning Committees (MPCs) to consolidate plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities. This institutionalized bottom-up planning, ensuring local needs and priorities are integrated into the broader development framework, a principle further emphasized by NITI Aayog.

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