Recent poverty estimates are supported by data from the government's Consumption Expenditure Survey.
- These new poverty estimates are based on an inflation adjustment to 2011-12 poverty line computed by Suresh Tendulkar committee.
Key findings
- Rural poverty: Decreased to 4.86% in FY24 from 7.2% in FY23 and 25.7% in FY12.
- Urban poverty: Dropped to 4.09% from 4.6% in FY23 and 13.7% in FY12.
- Reasons behind Improvement: Due to higher consumption growth among bottom 5% of population, causing a shift in poverty line.
- The poverty line is minimum expenditure (or income) required to purchase a basket of goods and services necessary to satisfy basic human needs.
- Individuals with income levels below these thresholds are classified as poor.
Poverty estimation in India (Major Committees)
- Lakdawala Committee (1993) recommended calculating poverty based on consumption expenditure related to calorie intake.
- Tendulkar Committee (2009) shifted away from calorie-based poverty lines and introduced a uniform all-India urban Poverty Line Basket.
- Rangarajan Committee (2014) reinstated separate rural and urban poverty lines and state-specific estimates.
Government’s initiative for poverty eradication
- Affordable Healthcare: Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana etc.
- Social Security and Empowerment: Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, etc.
- Financial Inclusion: PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Ujjwala Yojana etc.
- Employment and Skill Development: MGNREGA,PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana etc
