What do you understand by the term ‘Nehruvian Consensus’? Explain.

The term "Nehruvian Consensus" refers to the dominant political and economic framework that characterized India's governance and development strategy during the tenure of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, and continued to influence Indian politics and policy-making for several decades after his leadership. The Nehruvian Consensus encompassed a set of ideological principles, policy priorities, and institutional structures that shaped India's nation-building efforts and socio-economic development trajectory from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Key features of the Nehruvian Consensus include:

1. Democratic Socialism:
   Nehruvian socialism, influenced by Fabian socialism and Gandhian ideals of social justice, advocated for a mixed economy with a significant role for the state in regulating key sectors such as heavy industry, infrastructure, and public services. Nehru emphasized the need for state-led economic planning, industrialization, and social welfare programs to address poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment in post-colonial India. The state played a central role in setting economic priorities, allocating resources, and promoting public sector enterprises through initiatives such as the Five-Year Plans and the Industrial Policy Resolutions.

2. Secularism and Pluralism:
   Nehruvian secularism emphasized the principle of religious neutrality and state impartiality towards all faiths, fostering a pluralistic and inclusive society that respected religious diversity and promoted communal harmony. Nehru upheld the secular ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which guaranteed religious freedom, equality before the law, and non-discrimination based on religion. The Nehruvian Consensus sought to build a nation based on the principles of unity in diversity, secular governance, and social cohesion, rejecting sectarianism, communalism, and religious extremism.

3. Non-Alignment and Global Peace:
   Nehru's foreign policy of non-alignment aimed to maintain India's independence, neutrality, and autonomy in the context of Cold War rivalries between the United States and the Soviet Union. Non-alignment emphasized principles of peaceful coexistence, diplomacy, and multilateralism, advocating for global disarmament, decolonization, and the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and negotiation. Nehru played a leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a coalition of newly independent countries that sought to promote third-world solidarity, oppose imperialism, and pursue a policy of neutrality in global affairs.

4. Mixed Economy and State Intervention:
   The Nehruvian Consensus favored a mixed economy model that combined elements of state ownership, private enterprise, and cooperative sectors. While promoting industrialization and modernization, Nehru emphasized the importance of public sector investment in strategic industries, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs. The state intervened in economic planning, regulation, and redistribution through mechanisms such as industrial licensing, import substitution, and land reforms aimed at addressing socio-economic inequalities and promoting inclusive growth.

5. Educational Reform and Scientific Temper:
   Nehru emphasized the importance of education, science, and technology as drivers of national development and social progress. The Nehruvian Consensus prioritized investments in education, research, and scientific institutions to foster a culture of inquiry, innovation, and rational thinking. Nehru advocated for the promotion of scientific temper, rationalism, and critical thinking as essential values for building a modern, progressive society capable of meeting the challenges of the modern world.

In conclusion, the Nehruvian Consensus represented a set of ideological principles, policy priorities, and institutional frameworks that guided India's governance and development strategy in the early decades of independence. While the Nehruvian era laid the foundation for India's democratic institutions, economic planning, and social welfare programs, it also faced criticism for its perceived inefficiencies, bureaucratic red tape, and limited success in achieving inclusive growth and socio-economic development. The legacy of the Nehruvian Consensus continues to shape debates on Indian politics, economics, and social policy, reflecting the enduring influence of Nehru's vision of a democratic, secular, and socialist India.