Poverty in India is not just a statistic—it is a lived experience etched into the everyday struggles of millions. This study is a sincere attempt to understand how the Government of India addresses this deep-rooted issue, particularly in the years following economic liberalisation. Drawing on secondary data from 2011-12 to 2022, the research explores the long-term trends in poverty reduction, with a special focus on the rural population and the marginalised. Through this study, it is clear that the ranges of government-led policies and development programmes-backed by strong political will, community participation, and digital innovation-have transformed the lives of the poor. The findings are encouraging: poverty levels have declined drastically, extreme poverty (2. 15/day) dropped from 16. 2% in 2011–12 to just 2. 35% in 2022–23, a reduction of nearly 86% in terms of proportion. Moderate poverty (3. 00/day) saw a similar sharp decline, from 27. 12% to 5. 25%, a fall of over 80%. The absolute number of poor people fell from 205. 9 million to 33. 6 million (extreme poverty), and from 344. 47 million to 75. 2 million (moderate poverty). This shift represents more than economic change—it symbolises hope, empowerment, and growing social justice. At the heart of the study is a personal conviction: that inclusive development is not just a policy goal but a moral imperative. The success of poverty alleviation lies not only in numbers but in restoring dignity, expanding opportunities, and bridging the gaps that divide our society. This paper reflects a journey of India’s evolving development model and of my own efforts as a researcher committed to understanding and contributing to a more equitable future.
Keshava et al. (Wed,) studied this question.