The paper critically analyzes the historical processes of the evolution of energy policy in India and its relationship with development strategies. The paper is divided into three time periods related to global energy situation: upto first energy crisis 1973; upto second and third energy crisis 1974-86, and future prospects, upto 2000. The paper shows how in successive five yea plans the energy policies and strategies are essentially determined by the five year plans and their targets, more as a "demand-accommodation" processes indicates the possible scenarios for every policy evolution in India beyond the year 2000 and recommends appropriate alternatives.