Through the Plans
Five Year Plans : 
First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh
Since Independence, India has endeavoured to bring economic and social change through science and technology. The effort has been both on upgrading the traditional skills to make them relevant and competitive and developing advanced capabilities in frontier areas of science and technology. The visionaries who led the growth of science and technology (S and T) in India were convinced that S and T could play an important role in transforming India in to a modern, industrialized society. Experience and results show that this confidence was well placed. Science, technology, and innovation are even more relevant today. Scientific knowledge and expertise, innovation, high technology, industrial infrastructure and skilled workforce are the currencies of this new era. Science and Technology are important drivers of economic growth and development in the contemporary world. The present juncture is critical for Indian science and major positive steps in this area will help the country to achieve sustained and rapid growth in the future.
The Science and Technology Division of the Planning Commission is the nodal division for all matters relating to Science and Technology Plan formulation ( both Five Year Plans and Annual Plans) and appraisal of the S and T programmes of six major S and T agencies/Departments, viz.
The Division has been maintaining a close liaison with these S and T agencies/departments for smooth information flow and provides them important suggestions/inputs in the formulation of various S and T plans and programmes at various stages of plan formulation, implementation and half yearly reviews. The Division has also been providing important inputs in the formulation of S and T Policy.
In order to promote Science and Technology in the States/UTs, create scientific awareness among the masses through popularization of S and T and technology dissemination for improving the quality of life of the people, the Division undertakes detailed discussions with the representatives of the States/UTs and provides important inputs/suggestions for the formulation of their Five Year Plans and Annual Plans in respect of the Science and Technology Sector.
