Poverty in India: An Overview

Poverty is the state of not having enough material possessions or income for a person's basic needs. Poverty in India remains a significant challenge despite an overall reduction in poverty levels and the growth of the economy. There are various definitions of poverty, and different countries and agencies employ various methods to measure and compare poverty. As a country, India has made significant strides towards eliminating poverty through its welfare schemes and policy changes. According to the World Bank, India experienced a significant decline in the prevalence of extreme poverty from 2011 to 2019. The decline was 14.2 percentage points in rural areas and 7.9% in urban areas.1 In its report, Niti Ayog reported a significant reduction in the proportion of poor people in the country.2