Since India attained independence in 1947, agriculture and rural development have remained central to the country’s development strategy, forming a key component of all Five-Year Plans formulated by the Planning Commission (now replaced by NITI Aayog). The overarching objective has been to ensure food security, raise agricultural productivity, enhance rural livelihoods, reduce poverty, and integrate rural areas into the broader national development framework. The trajectory of these plans reflects a transition from basic food production and infrastructure development to modernization, diversification, and sustainable rural growth. The First Five-Year Plan (1951–1956) emphasized agriculture as the foundation of economic development, given that India was primarily agrarian at the time. The plan aimed to increase food production to mitigate post-independence shortages, and focused on irrigation, flood control, land development, and the expansion of agricultural extension services. Priority was given to improving cereal output, promoting minor irrigation projects, and enhancing rural credit facilities. This plan was largely successful in achieving a 20% growth rate in agriculture, demonstrating the effectiveness of planned interventions in the rural sector. The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–1961) shifted focus toward industrialization but continued to recognize the importance of agriculture. The emphasis was on the consolidation of land reforms, cooperative farming, and improving agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds, and mechanization. Land reforms aimed at abolishing the zamindari system, redistributing surplus land to small and marginal farmers, and securing tenancy rights to encourage productivity. Although industrialization dominated the plan’s strategy, rural development was still addressed through irrigation projects and establishment of agricultural universities to strengthen research and extension systems. The Third Five-Year Plan (1961–1966) sought to balance agriculture and industry, with an explicit recognition of the interdependence of these sectors. Its objective was to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains while promoting modernization through the Green Revolution. The plan prioritized irrigation expansion, improved seeds, pest control, and the introduction of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds. Agricultural credit institutions were expanded to provide farmers with necessary financial support. However, frequent droughts and the Indo-China war adversely affected plan outcomes, slowing agricultural growth. The Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969–1974) marked a decisive move toward increasing food production and achieving agricultural self-reliance. The plan was strongly influenced by the Green Revolution, focusing on the introduction of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, and mechanization in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Expansion of irrigation, strengthening of agricultural extension services, and the establishment of marketing infrastructure were key components. The plan also emphasized rural employment