Poverty Alleviation in India : A Data-Driven Analysis

Context

• Democracy extends beyond elections to ensuring social and economic justice for vulnerable groups.

• Government effectiveness is measured by poverty reduction and social upliftment.

• This study evaluates poverty reduction trends (2011-12 to 2023-24) across social and religious groups under the current government.

Measuring Poverty: The Rangarajan Poverty Line

• Based on C. Rangarajan Committee (2011-12) recommendations.

• Key Features:

  • Uses Modified Mixed Recall Period (MMRP) for accurate household expenditure data.

  • ICMR norms for calorie-based food requirements.

  • Higher weightage to non-food essentials in urban areas.

  • 2023-24 estimates updated using Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Data Sources and Methodology

• Household Consumption Expenditure Surveys (HCES) by MoSPI.

  • 2011-12 survey: Over 1 lakh households.

  • 2023-24 survey: 2.5 lakh households.

Findings: Decline in Poverty (2011-12 to 2023-24)

• Rural poverty: 30.4% → 3.9%.

• Urban poverty: 26.4% → 3.9%.

Poverty Reduction Among Religious Groups

• Muslims:

  • Rural: 31.7% → 2.4%.

  • Urban: 39.4% → 5.7%.

• Hindus:

  • Rural: 30.9% → 4%.

  • Urban: 24.4% → 3.7%.

• Muslim-Hindu urban poverty gap reduced from 15 to 2 percentage points.

Poverty Reduction Across Social Groups

• Scheduled Tribes (STs):

  • Rural: 49.5% → 12.2%.

  • Urban: 38.2% → 9.9%.

• Scheduled Castes (SCs):

  • Urban poverty: 39.6% → 6.6%, narrowing the gap with the general category.

• Other Backward Classes (OBCs):

  • Poverty rate: 30.4% → 3.6%.

Government Initiatives for Poverty Alleviation

Rural Programs:

• MGNREGS: 100 days of wage employment.

• PMAY-G: Rural housing for the poor.

• DAY-NRLM: Self-employment & women empowerment.

• DDU-GKY: Skill development for youth.

• NSAP: Financial aid to vulnerable groups.

Urban Programs:

• DAY-NULM: Urban employment & skill training.

• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban): Clean water supply.

• PMAY-Urban: Affordable housing.

• AMRUT: Urban infrastructure & transport.

• Other Interventions:

  • Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) for financial security.

  • Food Security Programs under PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

Conclusion: Inclusive Growth and Governance

• Poverty significantly reduced across all groups.

• Muslims, SCs, STs, and OBCs saw major economic upliftment.

• Welfare programs, employment schemes, and DBT strengthened economic security.

• Future Focus: Skill development, urban poverty reduction, and regional economic balance.

Relevance to UPSC

• GS Paper 2: Governance & Social Justice.

• GS Paper 3: Economic Growth & Poverty Alleviation.

• Essay Paper: Topics on poverty & democracy.

• GS Paper 4: Ethics in governance & social justice.