Planning in India is conceived as a multi-level, participatory, and integrated process designed to address the country’s vast diversity in socio-economic conditions, resources, and development needs. Given India’s federal structure and wide rural–urban disparities, planning operates at different spatial and administrative levels, each with specific roles, responsibilities, and linkages. These levels together form a comprehensive framework that enables the translation of national development goals into concrete actions at the grassroots, while also allowing local needs and priorities to influence higher-level policy formulation. At the national level, planning has historically been guided by a centralized vision of development. Soon after Independence, India adopted planned economic development to accelerate growth, reduce poverty, and achieve social justice. The Planning Commission, established in 1950, was the apex body responsible for formulating Five Year Plans and setting long-term development objectives. National-level planning focused on macro-economic policies, sectoral priorities, allocation of resources, and overall strategies for growth and structural transformation. It addressed issues such as agricultural development, industrialization, infrastructure expansion, poverty alleviation, employment generation, and human development. Although the Five Year Plan approach has been replaced by a more flexible system under the NITI Aayog since 2015, national planning continues to play a crucial role in setting broad policy directions, national development agendas, and flagship programmes. From the perspective of rural development, national planning determines priorities related to agriculture, irrigation, rural livelihoods, health, education, housing, sanitation, and social security, ensuring that these sectors receive adequate attention and resources. The national level also provides a framework for inter-state coordination and balanced regional development. Since states differ widely in terms of natural resources, economic base, and development levels, national planning seeks to reduce regional imbalances through special area programmes, central assistance, and targeted interventions. It also ensures alignment with constitutional values, national goals such as inclusive growth and sustainability, and international commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, national planning acts as the guiding force that integrates economic, social, and environmental objectives into a coherent development strategy. At the state level, planning occupies a pivotal position in the Indian federal system. States are primarily responsible for implementing development programmes, particularly in sectors like agriculture, rural development, health, education, and local infrastructure. Each state prepares its own plans based on national priorities, state-specific needs, and available resources. State-level planning bodies, such as State Planning Boards or Departments of Planning, play a key role in formulating development strategies, preparing annual and medium-term plans, and coordinating between different departments. These plans translate national policies into state-specific programmes, taking into account local conditions such as agro-climatic zones, demographic characteristics, and socio-economic challenges. From a rural development perspective, state-level planning is critical because rural issues vary significantly across states. For example, agricultural planning in Punjab differs greatly from that in Rajasthan or Assam due to differences in rainfall, soil, cropping patterns, and irrigation facilities. Similarly, strategies for rural employment, poverty alleviation, and social development must be adapted to the specific context of each state. State planning also involves prioritizing districts