Regional Development and planning is an important topic in Geography Optional that examines the processes, strategies, and policies aimed at promoting economic growth and social welfare in a region. Regional development and planning involves the identification of regional disparities, opportunities, and challenges, and the formulation of plans and policies to address these issues.
Regional development and planning may involve different sectors, such as infrastructure development, industrial development, environmental management, and social welfare. It also involves the collaboration and coordination of various stakeholders, such as government agencies, private sector, civil society, and local communities.
Regional development and planning can be influenced by various factors, such as natural resources, economic potential, political stability, and social dynamics. It can also be shaped by regional and national policies and priorities.
The goal of regional development and planning is to promote sustainable and equitable development, where economic growth is coupled with social welfare and environmental protection. This involves the integration of economic, social, and environmental considerations in planning and decision-making processes.
Get the Geography Optional Hard Copy Notes of Shabbir Sir’s most recent batch: Here
Regional Development & Planning Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains Geography Optional)
- Can the Panchayat Raj institutions play a role in grassroot level planning in India? If yes, discuss how. (10 Marks/2022)
- Why do disparities in development and incomes between regions persist in large countries like India? How does the recent ADP plan address the issue? (20 Marks/2022)
- Discuss the role of watershed management for soil and water conservation in hilly regions of India. (10 Marks/2021)
- Critically examine how Panchayati Raj system is catalyst in decentralized planning in India.(20 Marks/2021)
- Discuss the Command Area Development Programme and its impact on eliminating regional inequalities in India. (15 Marks/2021)
- Identifying areas covered under tribal sub-plan,discuss the programmes initiated to address their problems. (20 Marks/2020)
- The success of Panchayati Raj depends upon meaningful participation of people at grassroot level. Examine. (10 Marks/2020)
- Discuss how watershed management has become a tool in eradication of rural poverty in India. (15 Marks/2019)
- Analyse the incentive-oriented programmes for removing regional imbalances in socio-economic development of India. (15 Marks/2019)
- Examine the role of people’s participation in successful decentralized planning in India. (10 Marks/2018)
- Discuss the strategies of integrated development of island territories in India. (15 Marks/2018)
- “An effective three-tier Panchayat Raj System will strengthen the bottom-up approach to multi-level planning in India.” Explain. (20 Marks/2017)
- Explain the role of ‘Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme’ in reducing regional imbalances in areas identified by the Government of India. (10 Marks/2017)
- Describe the major tribal regions of India and their problems. (15 Marks/2016)
- Discuss the relationship of watershed approach to village level planning. (10 Marks/2015)
- Decentralized planning through the strengthening of the Panchayat system is the focus of planning in India in recent times. Suggest a blueprint for an integrated regional development plan. (20 Marks/2015)
- Is planning for a cluster of villages a viable option, when planning for backward areas of the country? Discuss with suitable examples. (15 Marks/2015)
- Indian island territories are vulnerable to the sea level rise. Explain. (15 Marks/2015)
- Discuss the concept of multi-level planning as practised in India, and explain the implications of 73rd and 74th constitutional Amendments in this respect. (20 Marks/2015)
- Comment on the criteria of identifying Drought Prone Areas in India. (10 Marks/2014)
- Evaluate the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme. (15 Marks/2014)
- How can a meaningful skill development programme contribute to the economic growth of hill areas? (20 Marks/2014)
- Discuss the concept of Command Area Development and evaluate its success with reference to Indira Gandhi Canal. (15 Marks/2014)
- City regions as territorial unit for regional planning and development. (10 Marks/2013)
- Planning and development of ‘Tribal Regions’ in India. (10 Marks/2013)
- Enumerate the basic indicators of development and explain their application in identification of the spatial diversity in development in India. (15 Marks/2013)
- Discuss the objective of ‘Vision 2020’ in creation of viable village complex in India for ‘Inclusive Rural Development’ programme. (15 Marks/2013)

For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
Visit our YouTube Channel – here