Committees have played a pivotal role in shaping India’s economic policies and reforms since Independence. From taxation and poverty estimation to banking, agriculture, infrastructure, and financial inclusion, expert groups and high-level panels have guided successive governments in setting priorities and implementing structural changes.
The following compilation classifies important committees on economic reforms and policy in India (1950–2025) by theme, along with their years of formation and key contributions.
NOTE: Year ranges (e.g., 2013–2014) indicate the year of constitution (first) and the year of report submission (second).
Committees on Poverty Estimation & Poverty Lines
Year
Committee / Chairperson
Suggestions
1977–1979
Y. K. Alagh Committee
First systematic poverty line; calorie norms (2400 rural, 2100 urban).
1989–1993
Lakdawala Committee
Poverty line based on consumption expenditure & calorie norms; report 1993.
2005–2009
Suresh Tendulkar Committee
Shift from calorie norms; uniform PLB; included health & education in poverty basket.
2012–2014
C. Rangarajan Committee
Revised poverty lines; new methodology; report June 2014.
Committees on Banking & Financial Sector Reforms
Year
Committee / Chairperson
Suggestions
1991
Narasimham Committee I
Prudential norms; NPAs; autonomy; private bank entry.
1998
Narasimham Committee II
Capital adequacy; mergers; ARCs for stressed assets.
