Socialist pattern of society
Also called: Socialistic pattern of society · Topic: Economic Planning in India: Goals, Models and Import Substitution · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Indian Economy 1950-1990"
Meaning
The socialist pattern of society was the goal India set for its economy in the mid-1950s. It meant a society with a strong public sector (government-owned industry) that also kept private property and democracy. Under it, the state was to control the "commanding heights", meaning the most important parts of the economy such as heavy industry. It became the official objective of the Second Five Year Plan and the Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) of 1956.
Example
The goal was adopted in steps:
- December 1954: the Lok Sabha adopted it.
- January 1955: the Congress session at Avadi adopted a "socialistic pattern of society".
- 1956: it became the objective of the Second Plan and of IPR 1956, which kept heavy industry mainly for the public sector.
Don't confuse with
- The word "Socialist" in the Preamble: it was not in the original 1950 Constitution. The 42nd Amendment added it in 1976, more than 20 years after the socialist pattern of society was adopted.