Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?

Correct Option (b):

The National Development Council (NDC) was established in 1952 as the apex body for decision-making and deliberations on development matters in India, particularly regarding the Five-Year Plans. Its composition included:

• The Prime Minister of India (who served as the Chairperson).
• All Union Cabinet Ministers.
• Chief Ministers of all States.
• Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislatures.
• Members of the Planning Commission.

Based on this, statements 1 (The Prime Minister), 3 (Ministers of the Union Cabinet), and 4 (Chief Ministers of the States) correctly identify members of the NDC. Statement 2 (The Chairman, Finance Commission) was not a member of the NDC. Therefore, option (b) is the correct choice.

Incorrect Options:

Options (a) and (d) are incorrect because they erroneously include the Chairman of the Finance Commission as a member of the National Development Council. The Finance Commission and the National Development Council had distinct roles and separate compositions.

Option (c) is incomplete as it omits key members such as the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet Ministers, who were integral to the functioning and decision-making of the National Development Council.