NCERT Solutions Class 9 Economics Chapter – 3 Poverty as a Challenge

NCERT Solutions Class 9 Economics (social Science) Chapter – 3 ‘Poverty as a Challenge’ Quesiton Answer

Back Excercise Question & Answer

Q.1. How is the poverty line estimated in India?

Answer:-

In India, the poverty line is estimated based on income and consumption levels. A person is considered poor if their income or consumption falls below a minimum level necessary to fulfill basic needs. The estimation involves:

1. Minimum Consumption Requirements: The government determines essential items like food, clothing, footwear, fuel, light, education, and medical needs.
2. Caloric Intake: The poverty line is linked to calorie consumption—2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories in urban areas.
3. Monetary Value: The cost of these essential items is calculated in rupees. For example, as per past estimates, a family earning below a certain amount per month is considered below the poverty line.
4. Periodic Updates: The poverty line is revised periodically based on price changes and economic conditions.

This method helps policymakers identify the poor and implement welfare programs accordingly.

Q. 2. Do you think that the present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate?

Answer:-

No, the present methodology of poverty estimation is not entirely appropriate. It primarily considers income and consumption levels, focusing on basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. However, this approach has several limitations:

1. Limited Scope: It does not account for essential aspects like education, healthcare, sanitation, and job security, which are crucial for a decent standard of living.
2. Quality of Life: The poverty line is based on minimum subsistence, rather than ensuring a reasonable quality of life.
3. Price Fluctuations: The methodology does not adequately adjust for inflation and market fluctuations, which affect the real purchasing power of individuals.
4. Broader Social Indicators: Modern poverty estimation should include multidimensional factors such as literacy rates, access to healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Thus, a more comprehensive approach, incorporating social and economic indicators, would provide a better understanding of poverty in India.

Q. 3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1993.

Answer:-

Since 1993, India has witnessed a significant decline in poverty levels due to economic growth and government policies. Here are the key trends:

1. Decline in Poverty Ratio: The poverty ratio fell from 45% in 1993-94 to 37.2% in 2004-05, and further to 22% in 2011-12.
2. Reduction in Number of Poor: The number of poor people decreased from 407 million in 2004-05 to 270 million in 2011-12, with an average annual decline of 2.2%.
3. Rural vs. Urban Poverty: Poverty ratios have always remained higher in rural areas compared to urban areas.
4. Future Projections: If the current trend continues, the percentage of people below the poverty line may drop below 20% in the coming years.

These trends indicate progress in poverty alleviation, but challenges remain in ensuring inclusive growth and equitable distribution of resources.

Q. 4. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India.

Answer:-

Poverty in India is caused by multiple factors, including historical, economic, and social reasons. The major reasons for poverty are:

1. Historical Factors: Colonial rule drained India’s wealth, leaving behind an economy with low industrial and agricultural productivity.
2. Low Economic Growth: Despite progress, economic growth has not been inclusive, leaving many people without stable employment.
3. Unemployment: A large section of the population faces underemployment or joblessness, leading to low income levels.
4. Population Growth: Rapid population increase puts pressure on resources, employment, and basic services, worsening poverty.
5. Social Inequality: Discrimination based on caste, gender, and region limits opportunities for many groups.
6. Lack of Education and Healthcare: Poor access to quality education and healthcare prevents people from improving their living standards.
7. Rural-Urban Divide: Rural areas suffer from low agricultural productivity, lack of infrastructure, and fewer job opportunities.
8. Inflation and Price Rise: Rising prices of essential goods make it difficult for the poor to afford basic necessities.

To reduce poverty, India needs inclusive economic policies, better education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Q.5. Identify the social and economic groups which are most vulnerable to poverty in India.

Answer:-

In India, certain social and economic groups are more vulnerable to poverty due to historical, structural, and economic factors. The major groups include:

1. Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs): These communities face social discrimination, lack of education, and limited job opportunities, making them highly vulnerable to poverty.
2. Agricultural Laborers and Landless Farmers: Many rural families depend on daily wages or small-scale farming, which is often unstable due to seasonal employment and low productivity.
3. Casual Workers in Urban Areas: People working in unorganized sectors, such as construction and domestic work, face low wages, job insecurity, and lack of social benefits.
4. Women and Children: Women, especially in rural areas, have limited access to education and employment, while children from poor families often suffer from malnutrition and lack of schooling.
5. Disabled and Elderly People: Those with disabilities or elderly individuals without financial support struggle with healthcare costs and lack of employment opportunities.
6. Minority Communities: Some minority groups face economic disadvantages and social exclusion, leading to higher poverty rates.

To reduce poverty among these groups, inclusive policies, better education, healthcare, and employment opportunities are essential.

Q.6. Give an account of interstate disparities of poverty in India.

Answer:-

Interstate disparities in poverty refer to the differences in poverty levels among various states in India. Some states have higher poverty rates, while others have successfully reduced poverty due to better economic policies and development programs. The key aspects of interstate disparities in poverty are:

1. States with High Poverty Levels: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have higher poverty ratios due to low industrial growth, poor infrastructure, and dependence on agriculture.
2. States with Low Poverty Levels: Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat have lower poverty ratios due to better economic opportunities, industrialization, and effective welfare programs.
3. Economic Growth and Development: States with higher literacy rates, better healthcare, and employment opportunities tend to have lower poverty levels.
4. Government Policies: Some states have implemented successful poverty alleviation programs, leading to better living standards.
5. Urban vs. Rural Divide: Poverty is generally higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, but some states have managed to bridge this gap through agricultural reforms and rural development.

These disparities highlight the need for targeted policies to reduce poverty in underdeveloped states while ensuring inclusive growth across the country.

Q. 7. Describe global poverty trends.

Answer:-

Global poverty trends have shown a significant decline over the years, but challenges remain in many regions. The key trends are:

1. Decline in Extreme Poverty: The percentage of people living in extreme poverty (earning less than $1.90 per day) has fallen from 36% in 1990 to about 9% in 2021.
2. Regional Disparities: While poverty has reduced in China and India, it remains high in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
3. Impact of Economic Growth: Countries with strong economic growth, industrialization, and better education have seen faster poverty reduction.
4. COVID-19 and Poverty: The pandemic reversed some progress, pushing millions back into poverty due to job losses and economic slowdown.
5. Multidimensional Poverty: Modern poverty estimation includes healthcare, education, and living standards, rather than just income levels.

Despite progress, inequality, unemployment, and inflation continue to affect poverty levels globally.

Q. 8. Describe the role of government in reducing poverty in India?

Answer:-

The government plays a crucial role in reducing poverty in India through various policies and programs aimed at improving economic opportunities, social welfare, and basic services. The key initiatives include:

1. Employment Generation Programs: Schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
2. Food Security Measures: The Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures subsidized food grains for poor families, reducing hunger and malnutrition.
3. Education and Skill Development: Programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Skill India aim to improve literacy and vocational training, helping people secure better jobs.
4. Health and Sanitation Initiatives: Schemes like Ayushman Bharat provide free healthcare to economically weaker sections, while Swachh Bharat Abhiyan promotes sanitation and hygiene.
5. Financial Inclusion: The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) helps poor families access banking services, encouraging savings and financial stability.
6. Housing and Infrastructure Development: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) provides affordable housing, improving living conditions for the poor.
7. Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Government subsidies and welfare benefits are directly transferred to beneficiaries, reducing corruption and ensuring effective distribution.

These measures aim to reduce poverty, improve living standards, and promote inclusive growth across India.

Q. 9. What do you understand by human poverty?

Answer:-

Human poverty refers to a broader concept of poverty that goes beyond just income levels. It includes lack of basic human needs such as education, healthcare, sanitation, and access to resources that ensure a decent quality of life. The key aspects of human poverty are:

1. Lack of Education – Many poor individuals do not have access to quality education, limiting their opportunities for employment.
2. Poor Healthcare – Inadequate healthcare facilities lead to high infant mortality rates, malnutrition, and preventable diseases.
3. Social Discrimination – Certain groups, such as women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs), face social exclusion, making it harder for them to escape poverty.
4. Unemployment and Job Insecurity – Many people suffer from underemployment or unstable jobs, preventing them from earning a stable income.
5. Lack of Basic Amenities – Poor housing, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate sanitation contribute to human poverty.

Unlike income poverty, which focuses only on financial earnings, human poverty highlights the quality of life and access to essential services. To reduce human poverty, governments must focus on education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and social welfare programs.

Q. 10. Who are the poorest of the poor?

Answer:-

The poorest of the poor refers to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society who suffer from severe deprivation in multiple aspects of life. These individuals face extreme poverty, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. The key groups include:

1. Women and Children – In many poor families, women and children suffer the most due to malnutrition, lack of education, and poor healthcare.
2. Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) – These communities often face social discrimination and economic exclusion, making them highly vulnerable to poverty.
3. Landless Agricultural Laborers – Those who do not own land and depend on daily wages struggle with unstable income and seasonal unemployment.
4. Casual Workers in Urban Areas – People working in unorganized sectors, such as construction and domestic work, face low wages, job insecurity, and lack of social benefits.
5. Disabled and Elderly People – Those with disabilities or elderly individuals without financial support struggle with healthcare costs and lack of employment opportunities.

These groups require special attention and targeted policies to improve their living conditions and provide better opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment.

Q. 11. What are the main features of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005?

Answer:-

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) 2005 is a landmark social welfare program aimed at providing employment and livelihood security in rural areas. Its main features include:

1. Guaranteed Employment – Provides 100 days of wage employment per year to every rural household willing to work.
2. Focus on Rural Development – The scheme promotes sustainable development by addressing issues like drought, deforestation, and soil erosion.
3. Women’s Participation – One-third of the jobs under MGNREGA are reserved for women, ensuring gender equality in employment.
4. Legal Right to Work – Employment under this act is demand-driven, meaning rural households have the legal right to demand work.
5. Unemployment Compensation – If the government fails to provide employment within 15 days of demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
6. Transparency and Accountability – The act mandates social audits to ensure proper implementation and prevent corruption.
7. Expansion Over Time – Initially launched in 200 districts, it was later extended to all rural districts across India.

This act plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation, rural development, and employment generation, making it one of India’s most significant social welfare programs.

Q. 12. Differentiate between consumption based poverty line and NMP Index based poverty estimates.

Answer:-

Here’s a structured differentiation between Consumption-Based Poverty Line and NMP Index-Based Poverty Estimates:

Criteria	Consumption-Based Poverty Line	NMP Index-Based Poverty Estimates
Definition	Measures poverty based on minimum consumption levels required for survival.	Uses a multidimensional approach, considering factors beyond income and consumption.
Key Indicators	Focuses on food, clothing, shelter, and basic needs.	Includes education, healthcare, sanitation, and access to resources.
Measurement Method	Based on caloric intake and expenditure—2400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2100 calories in urban areas.	Uses multiple indicators like literacy rates, infant mortality, and living standards.
Limitations	Does not account for quality of life, social exclusion, and access to essential services.	Provides a broader perspective but may be harder to quantify accurately.
Government Use	Used for policy-making and welfare programs like food subsidies and employment schemes.	Helps in targeted poverty alleviation by addressing multiple dimensions of deprivation.

The NMP Index (Multidimensional Poverty Index) is considered more comprehensive, as it reflects real-life challenges faced by the poor beyond just income levels.

Q. 13. List the indicators used to estimate multidimensional poor in India.

Answer:-

Multidimensional poverty in India is estimated using various indicators that go beyond just income levels. These indicators help assess deprivation in multiple aspects of life. The key indicators include:

Health Indicators:

• Child Mortality Rate – High infant and child mortality rates indicate poor healthcare access.
• Nutrition Levels – Malnutrition and undernourishment among children and adults.

Education Indicators:

• Years of Schooling – The number of years a person has attended school.
• School Attendance – Whether children of school-going age are enrolled in school.

Living Standard Indicators:

• Access to Drinking Water – Availability of clean and safe drinking water.
• Sanitation Facilities – Presence of toilets and proper sanitation.
• Electricity Supply – Whether households have access to electricity.
• Housing Conditions – Quality of housing, including overcrowding and structural safety.
• Cooking Fuel – Use of clean cooking fuel instead of traditional biomass.

These indicators provide a comprehensive view of poverty, helping policymakers design targeted welfare programs to improve living conditions.