Approach Paper to The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007)

Abstract

The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) is being prepared against a backdrop of high expectations arising from some aspects of the recent performance. GDP growth in the post-reforms period has improved from an average of about 5.7% in the 1980s to an average of about 6.5% in the Eighth and Ninth Plan periods, making India one of the ten fastest growing developing countries. Encouraging progress has also been made in other dimensions. The percentage of the population in poverty has continued to decline, even if not as much as was targeted. Population growth has decelerated below 2% for th§ first time in four decades. Literacy has increased from 52% in 1991 to 65% in 2001 and the improvement is evident in all States. Sectors such as software services, entertainment and IT enabled services have emerged as new sources of strength creating confidence about India’s potential to be competitive in the world economy.