Before 1990, seven five year plans had been executed and their introduction is given below: 

i. First five year plan : The period of the first five-year plan was from 1951 to 1956, which mainly focused on the development of the agricultural sector. This plan envisaged the removal of instabilities created by the partition of the country and the Second World War. The top priority in this plan was to increase agricultural productivity. In order to achieve these objectives, special emphasis was laid on developing and extending the means of transportation and communication and arrangement of irrigation facilities. Maximum resources were made available for transportation and communication system under this plan, which was 26.4 per cent of the total plan expenditure.

ii. Second five year plan : The tenure of second five year plan was from 1956 to 1961. The main objective of this plan was to adopt such schemes that could establish an equitable social system, reduction of inequalities in income and wealth and a more even distribution of economic power. This plan particularly aimed at the development plan of the public sector and rapid industrialization. About 20.1 per cent of the total resources were spent on industries and mining. Other important objectives included sizeable increase in national income so as to raise the level of living in the country, rapid industrialization, with particular emphasis on the development of basic and heavy industries, a large expansion of employment opportunities, the development of iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, coal, cement, heavy chemicals and other industries was emphasized upon.

iii. Third five year plan : The tenure of third five-year plan was from 1961 to 1956. The main objective of this plan was to build a self-reliant and self-sustained economy, in order to achieve the target of continuous development. 

The immediate objectives of this plan were :

1. An increase in national income of more than 5% annually. 

2. An increase in the agricultural produce and to achieve self-sufficiency by increasing food-grain production. 

3. Expansion of basic industries. 

4. Utilizing the country’s manpower resource to the maximum and ensuring significant growth in employment.

iv. Fourth five year plan : The tenure of fourth five year plan was from 1969 to 1974. The action strategy of this plan was to achieve development and self reliance along with the stability. Maximum expenditure was allocated to transprotation and communication by allocated.

v. Fifth five year plan : The tenure of fifth five-year plan was from 1974 to 1979. Its objective was to achieve poverty eradication and self- reliance. The slogan “Garibi Hatao” was given by Mrs. Indira Gandhi in 1975. Under fifth five-year plan, a special programme was launched for the poor section of the society. The Janata Party government came into power in 1977 and it initiated a rolling plan of the period 1978 to 1983 after concluding the fifth five year plan one year before its fixed tenure. Achievement of inflation control and economic stability was also given top priority. One of the basic objectives was to achieve 5.5 per cent annual growth in national income.

vi. Sixth five year plan : The tenure of sixth five year plan was from 1980 to 1985. The main objective of this plan was to eradicate poverty. The maximum expenditure in this plan was done on energy sector, which was 28.1 per cent of total plan expenditure. The second priority was given to transport and communication. The average growth rate for this plan was fixed at 5.2 per cent.

vii. Seventh five year plan : The tenure of seventh five year plan was from 1985 to 1990. The main objective of this plan was increase in employment, increasing production and productivity. The growth in food grain production was 3.23 per cent which was higher than previous years. The reason for this was favourable weather. Maximum expenditure (30.5%) was spent on energy sector.