Keralam’s 15th Five Year Plan to be prepared in ‘project mode,’ will aim for 7% growth rate per year

Growth will be guided by a guaranteed social foundation of guaranteed essential services, livelihood support and social security, and an ecological ceiling that protects Kerala’s ecosystem, natural resources and reduces climate and disaster risk, says the Planning Board. | Photo Credit: Andrii Yalanskyi

The 15th Five Year Plan will seek to raise Keralam’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) from the present ₹16 lakh crore to ₹28 lakh crore by the end of the plan period, achieving a growth rate of 7% per year as against the present 5%. And, in a departure from previous Plans, the 15th Plan will be prepared in “project mode,” according to the State Planning Board.

The 15th Plan covers the period from 2027 to 2032. The Approach Paper for the Plan was approved at the first meeting of the reconstituted State Planning Board on Thursday which was presided over Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

“In a departure from the past, the 15th Five Year Plan will be prepared in project mode adopting the SMART framework (specific, measurable, achievable, result-oriented and time-bound). Growth will be guided by a guaranteed social foundation of guaranteed essential services, livelihood support and social security, and an ecological ceiling that protects Kerala’s ecosystem, natural resources and reduces climate and disaster risk,” the Planning Board said in a statement.

(Earlier, the UDF government had announced plans to transform the State Planning Board into a ‘think tank’ which will play a “greater role in monitoring the implementation of priority projects and in acting as a link between civil society organisations and the State government to transform ideas into practical projects).

At Thursday’s meeting, it was decided to constitute a ‘Kerala employment and economic opportunity mission’ and a ‘Yuvakeralam mission’ modelled on the Kudumbashree Mission. It was also decided that the Scheduled Tribes Welfare department would draft an action plan to implement the Forest Rights Act in mission mode over a period of five years in coordination with other departments under the Tribal Sub-plan. The ‘Kerala employment and economic opportunity mission’ will have the Chief Minister as its chairperson. It will be incubated by the Planning Board and transferred to the State government within 24 months. Discussions will be held among the departments of Local Self Government, Higher Education, Youth Affairs and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare and the Planning Board members to work out the details for the Yuvakeralam Mission.

Funding support

The board meeting approved a proposal for the State Planning Board to access funding support from the NITI Aayog of up to ₹2.44 crore a year under the State Support Mission to strengthen its work, conduct capacity building activities and enhance the evaluation and data analysis division. It was noted that all other States have sought similar support under the scheme.

It has been decided to extend financial support to all districts for implementing development schemes modelled on the existing packages for Kasargod, Wayanad, Idukki and Kuttanad. It was also proposed that local investment and development meets should be organized by engaging both local investors and the diaspora. The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) will act as the nodal agency with support from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka).

Plan Review Committees will be formed at the district level, headed jointly by a Planning Board member and the District Collector to review the progress of implementation of Plans.

‘Partnership economy’

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of speeding up development work, avoiding delays and using resources effectively. He stressed the importance of external funding in the context of the limited resources available with the State government. Board Vice-Chairman K.M. Chandrasekhar said Keralam will move towards the creation of a “partnership economy,” where it will work with local bodies, cooperatives, banks, the private sector and other external agencies to supplement the State’s resources to achieve the 15th Plan development objectives.

Published - November 05, 2026 09:06 pm IST