The first seven Five Years Plans gave importance to ______.

The correct answer is Self-Reliance.

Key Points

• The first seven Five Year Plans in India gave importance to self-reliance.
• Self-reliance means avoiding imports of those goods which could be produced in India itself.
• This policy was considered a necessity in order to reduce India's dependence on foreign countries, especially for food.
• The first seven Five Year Plans emphasized the development of the following sectors to achieve self-reliance:
  • Agriculture: The plans invested in irrigation projects, dams, and agricultural research to increase food production.
  • Industry: The plans focused on the development of heavy industries, such as steel, machinery, and chemicals.
  • Infrastructure: The plans invested in roads, railways, ports, and power generation to support economic growth.
• The focus on self-reliance was instrumental in India's economic development during the first few decades after independence.
• The country became self-sufficient in food production and made significant progress in industrialization. However, the policy of import substitution was also criticized for making Indian goods less competitive in the global market.