Given below are two statements about P.C. Mahalanobis:
Statement I: During the second plan period, Mahalanobis invited economists who were very critical of the socialist principles of the second plan.
Statement II: Many economists today accept the approach to planning formulated by Mahalanobis.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
Statement I: During the second plan period, Mahalanobis invited economists who were very critical of the socialist principles of the second plan. — True. He was willing to listen to his critics, the mark of a great scholar.
Statement II: Many economists today accept the approach to planning formulated by Mahalanobis. — False. Many economists today reject his approach to planning. He is still remembered for putting India on the road to economic progress.
NCERT (2026-27): “Box 2.3: Mahalanobis: the Architect of Indian Planning … During the second plan period, Mahalanobis invited many distinguished economists from India and abroad to advise him on India’s economic development. Some of these economists became Nobel Prize winners later, which shows that he could identify individuals with talent. Among the economists invited by Mahalanobis were those who were very critical of the socialist principles of the second plan. In other words, he was willing to listen to what his critics had to say, the mark of a great scholar. Many economists today reject the approach to planning formulated by Mahalanobis but he will always be remembered for playing a vital role in putting India on the road to economic progress, and statisticians continue to profit from his contribution to statistical theory.” |