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(In UPSC Essentials’ series ‘Society & Social Justice’, which we have started for social issues topics of UPSC CSE, our subject experts will give an overview of the theme from both, static and dynamic points of view. Our first three topics were ‘Population’ , ‘Urbanisation’, and ‘Literacy’. For the month of October, we take up the topic of ‘Poverty and associated issues’. In part 1, we discussed about the basic concept, causes, measuring poverty, poverty’s link with inequality and hunger. In part 2, Manas Srivastava talks to Pranay Aggarwal about urban and rural poor, pain of poverty, and more. Don’t miss the interesting quotes and introduction lines he shares towards the end of the interview.)
About the Expert: Pranay Aggarwal is an educator and mentor for aspirants preparing for UPSC Civil Services examination. With more than 10 years of experience guiding civil service aspirants, he is acknowledged as an expert on civil service exam preparation, especially on subjects like Social Issues and Sociology. He is the India representative on Research Committee on Education for UNESCO’s International Sociological Association and a member of Indian Sociological Society’s committee on social movements. He is also the Convenor of Indian Civil Services Association, a think tank of senior bureaucrats.
Relevance: Poverty is one of the most asked themes in social issues and related papers of UPSC. It is interconnected with various other themes like population, unemployment, hunger etc. Your coverage of the topic must include both static and current affairs dimensions of Poverty. It is an important theme in GS I (Society), GS II, GS III, Prelims and personality test. Aspirants will find it relevant for Essays as well.
Pranay Aggarwal: The terms ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ poor refer to two distinct groups of individuals experiencing poverty in different settings, namely, urban and rural areas. According to NITI Aayog, the proportion of multidimensionally poor in urban areas stood at 5.2 per cent of the urban population in 2019-21, while in rural areas it was nearly four times higher at 19.2 per cent of the population. Interestingly, rural areas have also witnessed a much faster rate of poverty reduction than urban areas. The poverty in rural areas declined from 32.5 per cent in 2015-16 to 19.2 per cent in 2019-2021. During the same period, the urban areas saw a reduction in poverty from 8.6 per cent to only 5.2 per cent.
Here’s some insight into these two categories:
Urban Poor
— The urban poor are individuals and households residing in urban areas — including metros, cities and towns; who experience poverty.
— Urban poverty is often characterised by challenges such as high living costs, limited access to affordable housing, and inadequate sanitation and healthcare facilities.
— Employment in the informal sector is common among the urban poor, which may involve jobs in street vending, construction, domestic work, or small-scale trading.
— While urban areas offer better employment opportunities compared to rural regions, they also have a higher cost of living, making it challenging for the urban poor to make ends meet.
— Microfinance initiatives in urban areas often focus on providing small loans for income-generating activities, skills development, and access to financial services to help the urban poor escape poverty. These programmes may also support asset creation, such as small businesses, to enhance income security.
Rural Poor
— The rural poor comprise of the individuals and households residing in rural areas, which are typically characterised by poor living conditions and over dependence on agriculture as a source of livelihood.
— Rural poverty is often associated with factors such as landlessness, low agricultural productivity, limited access to education and healthcare, and a lack of infrastructure.
— Agriculture is a primary source of livelihood for many in rural areas, and fluctuations in crop yields and income can impact the rural poor’s economic stability.
— The rural poor are more constrained by traditional restraints of caste, gender and ethnicity while trying to escape poverty; than the urban poor.
— The rural poor often face challenges related to limited access to formal financial services, which can hinder their ability to save, invest, and manage income effectively.
— The microfinance programs aimed at rural poverty, such as the SHG-Bank Linkage Program, focus on providing access to credit, savings, and insurance services to promote financial inclusion, asset creation, and income security for the rural poor. Microfinance can also support the development of small-scale enterprises, farm activities, and other income-generating projects.
— Addressing rural poverty is indeed a significant challenge. Microfinance plays a crucial role in asset creation and income security for the rural poor by providing them with access to financial resources, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing economic opportunities. The ultimate goal is to help them break the cycle of poverty, achieve financial stability, and improve their overall quality of life.
Pranay Aggarwal: Poverty is accompanied by a range of negative consequences and hardships. These consequences can affect various aspects of individuals’ lives, including their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Here are some of the common pains of poverty that the poor experience:
1. Food Insecurity: Hunger and malnutrition are prevalent among the poor due to their limited access to nutritious food. This can lead to physical health issues, stunted growth, and cognitive impairments, especially in children.
2. Inadequate Healthcare: Poor individuals often lack access to quality healthcare, leading to untreated illnesses and chronic health problems. The cost of medical care can be a significant burden for them.
3. Limited Access to Education: Poverty can hinder access to education, limiting opportunities for personal and professional growth. Children from impoverished backgrounds may not receive a quality education, limiting their
future prospects.
4. Housing Instability: Poor households may struggle to afford safe and stable housing. This can result in overcrowding, homelessness, and exposure to environmental hazards.
5. Economic Stress: The constant financial stress and uncertainty associated with poverty can lead to anxiety, depression, and mental health issues. Poor individuals may also experience a lack of control over their lives.
6. Social Exclusion: Poverty can lead to social isolation and exclusion. Individuals may face discrimination, stigmatisation, and exclusion from participation in community activities.
7. Unemployment and Underemployment: Limited job opportunities, low wages, and job insecurity can trap individuals in cycles of poverty, making it difficult to escape.
8. Reduced Life Expectancy: Poor living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and exposure to hazardous environments can lead to a shorter life expectancy for individuals in poverty.
9. Lack of Access to Clean Water and Sanitation: Poor communities may lack access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, which can result in waterborne diseases and poor hygiene.
10. Intergenerational Poverty: Poverty often persists across generations. Children born into poverty are more likely to experience the same hardships, creating a cycle of poverty that can be challenging to break.
11. Limited Savings and Financial Vulnerability: Poor individuals typically lack savings or a financial safety net, making them vulnerable to unexpected expenses or emergencies.
12. Reduced Social Mobility: Poverty can limit opportunities for upward social mobility, hindering the ability of individuals to improve their economic and social circumstances.
These pains of poverty are interconnected and can have long-lasting effects on individuals and their communities.
Addressing poverty requires a comprehensive approach that not only provides immediate relief but also focuses on addressing the root causes and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Pranay Aggarwal: The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on exacerbating class-based inequality and poverty in India. One can point out some of the following factors leading to the unfortunate situation:
1. Economic disruption: The lockdowns and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus led to widespread job losses and income reductions. Informal and low-skilled workers, who already had precarious employment, were disproportionately affected. Many of them lost their livelihoods, pushing them further into poverty.
2. Inadequate social safety nets: India’s social safety net programmes, while existing, often suffered from gaps in coverage and efficiency. The pandemic highlighted the need for more extensive and effective social protection systems to support those in need.
3. Access to healthcare: The pandemic exposed the disparities in access to healthcare. Poorer communities often lacked access to quality healthcare facilities and faced challenges in receiving timely medical attention. The high
healthcare costs associated with Covid-19 treatment placed additional financial burdens on affected families.
4. Education disruption: The closure of schools and the shift to online education disproportionately affected students from lower-income households who lacked access to necessary technology and a conducive learning
environment. This disrupted their education and could lead to long-term consequences, limiting future opportunities.
5. Digital divide: The pandemic emphasized the digital divide, with many poorer individuals and families lacking access to the internet and technology, making it challenging for them to work or study remotely, access critical information, or benefit from e-commerce services.
6. Increased debt: Many individuals and families, particularly in the lower-income strata had to take on debt to meet essential needs during the pandemic. This has led to increased financial insecurity and a cycle of debt
that could persist beyond the immediate crisis.
7. Impact on the informal sector: India has a substantial informal sector workforce. The lockdowns severely affected these workers, and many have struggled to regain their previous economic standing, leading to prolonged economic hardship.
8. Reverse migration: The pandemic triggered reverse migration as urban areas shut down. Rural areas received an influx of returning migrants, which strained local resources and created challenges for both rural and urban
communities.
9. Entrepreneurial impact: Small and medium-sized businesses faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Many had to close or reduce operations, resulting in lost income for both business owners and employees.
A paper published by the IMF further suggests that the economic downturn associated with the pandemic temporarily increased poverty and inequality in India. The paper also suggests that the government’s expansion of food subsidies played a significant role in mitigating the increase in poverty during the pandemic.
A 2022 report by NCAER suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a serious reversal of poverty reduction which was in progress in India since the 1990s.
Interestingly, a well researched counter to such arguments has been presented by Aravind Panagariya in a recent paper. Addressing the accelerated class-based inequality and poverty resulting from the pandemic requires a multi-pronged approach. It includes strengthening social safety nets, improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing access to education, and promoting inclusive economic growth. Additionally, targeted interventions to support
the most vulnerable and marginalised populations are essential to mitigate the long-term consequences of the pandemic on poverty and inequality in India.
Pranay Aggarwal: Certainly, here are some impressive introductions and quotes related to the topic of poverty and inequality in India which students may find useful:
1. “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi
2. “It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act."”- 14th Dalai Lama
3. “Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit.” – Eli Khamarov
4. “Overcoming poverty is not an act of charity; it is an act of justice.” – Nelson Mandela
5. Behind every statistic on poverty, there are real people with dreams,struggles, and untapped potential. Each person represents a unique struggle against a backdrop of hardship and a testament to the need for sustained efforts to reduce poverty.
6. The pursuit of a poverty-free India is not merely a governmental objective; it is the collective aspiration of a nation, an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice.
7. The vast inequalities in India are not just a matter of economics but also a challenge to its social fabric, testing the very idea of a fair and just society.
8. In the struggle against poverty, the battlefields are not just remote villages or crowded urban slums; they are the hearts and minds of individuals yearning for a life of dignity.
9. Poverty is not only the absence of wealth, it is a condition that robs individuals of their dignity, opportunities, and the ability to lead fulfilling lives. It is the presence of despair, an insidious force that silently gnaws at the roots of
human dignity.
10. As we march along in the third decade of the 21st century, it is disheartening to acknowledge that poverty remains an all too familiar companion for a significant portion of the global population. Yet, it is also a testament to our collective will and determination that we persist in the fight to reduce and eventually eradicate this scourge.
What have been the anti-poverty strategies that India has applied so far?
Some case studies and success stories.
What is the way forward in dealing with poverty?
and many more points to ponder…
UPSC Essentials: Society & Social Justice | Population and associated issues (Part 1)
UPSC Essentials: Society & Social Justice | Population and associated issues (Part 2)
UPSC Essentials| Society & Social Justice — Urbanisation and associated issues (Part 1)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Urbanisation and associated issues (Part 2)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Urbanisation and associated issues (Part 3)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Literacy and associated issues (Part 1)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Literacy and associated issues (Part 2)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Literacy and associated issues (Part 3)
UPSC Essentials | Society & Social Justice : Poverty and associated issues (Part 1)
Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com. You can also post your doubts, questions, and suggest themes on topics related to Society and Social Justice.
