Developmental planning in India, initiated post-independence, was conceived as a strategic approach to achieve rapid economic growth, reduce poverty, and ensure social justice. Influenced by socialist ideals, India adopted a mixed economy model with a strong emphasis on state-led planning, primarily through Five-Year Plans. The core idea was to direct resources, set national priorities, and correct market failures to build a self-reliant economy.

Initially, planning focused on heavy industrialization (Nehruvian model) to create a strong industrial base, alongside significant investments in agriculture (Green Revolution). The objectives included increasing national income, achieving food security, reducing regional disparities, and expanding social services like education and healthcare. Over time, the focus shifted to poverty alleviation programs, employment generation, and inclusive growth, recognizing the limitations of a purely growth-centric approach.

However, developmental planning faced criticisms for its bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, creation of a 'license raj,' and sometimes, an overemphasis on centralized control that stifled private enterprise. The economic reforms of 1991 marked a significant shift towards liberalization, privatization, and globalization, reducing the state's direct role in economic production and increasing reliance on market forces. The Planning Commission was eventually replaced by NITI Aayog in 2015, signaling a move from prescriptive planning to a more facilitative, cooperative federalism approach, focusing on policy formulation and strategic guidance rather than direct resource allocation. Despite its evolution, the underlying idea of planned development continues to influence India's approach to addressing its vast socio-economic challenges.