The rationale behind choosing 'Self-Reliance' as a planning objective for Indian economy are :
(i) Self-Reliant : The major objective is to make the economy self-reliant. It means overcoming the need of external assistance. In other words, it meanstohave development through domestic resources.
(ii) Promote economic growth : To promote economic growth and modernisation, the five year plans stressed on the use of own resources, in order to reduce our dependence on foreign countries.
(iii) Reduce foreign dependence : To reduce foreign dependence, as India was recently freed from foreign control, it is necessary to reduce our dependence on foreign countries especially for food. So, stress should be given to attain self-reliance.
(iv) Avoid foreign interference : To avoid foreign interference, it was feared that dependence on imported food suppliers, foreign technology and foreign capital may increase foreign interference in the policies of our country.