Poverty in India has evolved from a narrow income-based concept to a multidimensional understanding that includes deprivations in health, education, and living standards. While recent data indicate a sharp decline in extreme poverty due to economic growth and welfare interventions, structural inequalities and vulnerability continue to sustain pockets of deprivation. A combination of inclusive growth, human capital development, and effective governance remains essential for sustainable poverty reduction.
Click to View MoreIndia’s post-Independence economic journey moved from slow, state-led growth to market-driven expansion. The phrase “Hindu rate of growth,” coined by economist Raj Krishna, described India’s stagnant average growth of roughly three to three-and-a-half percent between the nineteen fifties and seventies. However, growth began accelerating from the early nineteen eighties, well before the nineteen ninety-one reforms, as selective liberalisation and industrial capacity building improved productivity. The reform wave of nineteen ninety-one deepened this shift, while the two thousand three to two thousand eleven phase delivered high growth of eight to nine percent. Since then, India has faced moderation linked to global headwinds, financial stress and the pandemic, yet it remains the fastest growing major economy. Thus, India has long surpassed the so-called Hindu rate of growth, evolving from a low-growth economy to one increasingly driven by reform, capability building and structural transformation.
Click to View MoreWomaniya, launched on GeM in 2019, supports women entrepreneurs and SHGs by allowing them to sell goods and services directly to government buyers. It promotes market access, fair pricing, and economic independence by integrating women-led enterprises into the formal public procurement system.
Click to View MoreThe deletion of 2.7 million MGNREGS workers, linked to mandatory Aadhaar-based payments, has raised concerns of wrongful exclusion and erosion of the Act’s demand-driven rights. Critics argue technical errors removed genuine workers and call for optional technology, stronger audits and an inclusive, worker-centric approach.
Click to View MoreA G20 report by the World Inequality Lab warns that India’s wealth is heavily concentrated, with the top 1% holding 40.1% of national wealth while the bottom half owns only 6.4%. It urges G20 nations to impose a 2% global minimum tax on billionaires to curb inequality.
Click to View MoreThe Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) revitalizes grassroots democracy by simulating Gram Sabha proceedings in schools. It offers experiential learning aligned with NEP 2020, combats youth apathy, nurtures leadership, and builds awareness of civic responsibilities, promoting inclusive, transparent, and participatory rural governance for future citizens.
Click to View MoreKerala will be "extreme poverty-free" by November 1, 2025, a goal achieved through a decentralized model led by local bodies and Kudumbashree. They identified vulnerable families and addressed their food, health, and housing needs, marking a significant step in inclusive growth and SDG-1.
Click to View MoreForeign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role in economic growth by bringing in capital, technology, and job opportunities. To improve FDI flows, countries must focus on creating a stable and investor-friendly environment through regulatory reforms, infrastructure development, skilled workforce, and transparent governance. Targeted sectoral strategies, digitalization of approvals, and strong investment promotion agencies can enhance investor confidence. Additionally, international trade agreements, performance-based incentives, and sustainability-focused policies are key to attracting high-quality, long-term investment.
Click to View MoreMahendra Giri Hills, located in Odisha's Gajapati district, are part of the Eastern Ghats and rise to 1,501 metres above sea level. Declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2022, the region is rich in flora and fauna, housing over 1,300 plant species and nearly 400 animal species, many of which are endangered and endemic.
Click to View MoreEmployment is crucial for inclusive growth as it reduces poverty, bridges inequalities, boosts consumption, and promotes economic stability. However, challenges like jobless growth, skill mismatches, gender disparities, informality, and technological disruptions limit employment generation.
Click to View MoreThe EAT-Lancet report shows under 1% of humanity lives within safe, equitable planetary limits. Current food systems drive ecological collapse and inequality, demanding a shift to plant-forward diets, halved food waste, and just policies for global health and sustainability.
Click to View MoreDespite progress in reducing extreme poverty, India faces a nutritional security challenge. The PDS must evolve from calorie provision to balanced diets, addressing hidden hunger, improving public health, and ensuring every citizen enjoys not just food, but the dignity of nutrition.
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