The plan set the annual GDP growth target at 9.0%, and it aimed “first, to
generate the income and employment opportunities that were needed for improving
living standards for the bulk of the population; and second, to generate
the resources needed for financing social sector programmes, aimed at reducing
poverty and enabling inclusiveness” (Planning Commission of India 2011,
1). The Indian economy achieved an average GDP growth of around 8% over the
plan period 2007–2012. This was lower than the 9.0% originally targeted, largely
because of the global financial and economic crisis in 2008–2009.