Theme T74 · Social Justice & Welfare

Poverty: measurement, causes & alleviation

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What UPSC asks

Repeated across GS1 and GS2: why poverty persists despite programmes, poverty estimates, multidimensional poverty, asset inequality, COVID and inequality, and political will.

Prepare these

• Poverty lines: Lakdawala, Tendulkar, Rangarajan
• MPI (UNDP and NITI)
• Causes: asset inequality, deprivation, unemployment
• Major programmes and their performance

Answer writing

• Use data and name schemes; separate income and multidimensional poverty

Directive words in these PYQs: Discuss (2), Comment (1), Analyse (1), Explain (1), Evaluate (1), Suggest (1).

Linked themes

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L7 — Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
• GS2-L14 — Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

All 8 PYQs, newest first

1. GS2202515 marks · 250 wordsGS2-GOV-06-M2025-Q16

   Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of 'paradox of poverty'.

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2. GS12020GS1-SOC-04-M2020-S01

   COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment.

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3. GS22020GS2-GOV-06-M2020-S01

   “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.

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4. GS12018GS1-SOC-04-M2018-S02

   ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons.

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5. GS22017GS2-GOV-06-M2017-S01

   “Poverty Alleviation programs in India remain mere showpieces until and unless they are backed up by political will.” Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation program in India.

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6. GS22017GS2-GOV-06-M2017-S02

   Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.

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7. GS12016GS1-SOC-04-M2016-S01

   “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

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8. GS22015GS2-GOV-06-M2015-S01

   Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.

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