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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed on 17 October/ It raises global awareness about poverty and promotes collective action to end it. The 2025 theme focuses on building a sustainable future through empowerment and equal opportunities for all. UN focuses on uplifting people by providing equal growth opportunities.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: The persistent challenge of global poverty is not just an economic concern. It is a profound moral and humanitarian issue that denies dignity and basic rights to millions. The United Nations observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty every year. This day serves as a critical moment. It is to reflect on the struggles of those living in hardship.
The theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is chosen to highlight a specific issue related to poverty. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025 theme focuses on “Building a Sustainable Future: Ending Poverty through Empowerment and Equality.”
This theme emphasises that poverty eradication cannot be achieved only through financial aid but through empowerment—ensuring that every person has access to education, healthcare, clean water, housing, and decent employment. It underlines the importance of creating equal opportunities so that everyone can live a life of dignity.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), ending poverty requires collective action, inclusive growth, and a fair distribution of resources. The 2025 theme reminds us that eradicating poverty is not just a social goal but a global necessity for peace and prosperity.
The global commitment to end poverty is formally enshrined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically in SDG goal on poverty, which is Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere. The UN decided to introduce the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets the eradication of extreme poverty as its primary and most ambitious goal. The headline target is 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, which is currently measured by the World Bank as people living on less than $2.15 a day (or $3.00 a day under a revised 2021 PPP estimate).
Additional critical targets under this goal include:
The global community faces a significant challenge that millions remain unprotected by social safety nets. The annual observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty plays a vital role in mobilising global action and investment to meet these critical SDG 1 targets by 2030.
Policymakers with a mindset to reduce poverty over time in India. They should understand the difference between absolute poverty vs relative poverty.
| Absolute Poverty vs Relative Poverty | ||
| Aspect | Absolute Poverty | Relative Poverty |
| Definition | It is the inability to meet the basic needs of housing, food, and education. | A condition where an individual’s income is lower than the average income in their society. |
| Measurement | Fixed income threshold (e.g., the World Bank’s International Poverty Line of $2.15 per day). | Measured relative to the median income of the population (often defined as earning less than 50% or 60% of the national median income). This benchmark varies across countries and changes over time. |
| Focus | Survival and basic human needs. | Social inclusion, inequality, and living standards. |
| Relevance | Most relevant in developing and least developed countries. | Most relevant in developed and high-income countries. |
The policy makers and the government need to understand the poverty in India. It is connected with the historical contexts. India has faced issues related to caste, colour, and religion. Still, many people in India faced the crisis below the poverty line. Government measures and the committee helped the Indians to come out of poverty.
The measures are related to the minimum pay, shelter, and providing food through the ration system. However, India’s population is around 1.46 billion, as estimated. The poverty in India reduced at the rate of 16% from 2011-2022. It slowed down in 2022-2023 to 2%. The reasons could be related to the rising inflation and the lack of employment opportunities in the country. Therefore, the purpose of observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It provides equal opportunity to everyone in India and the world.
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The historical approach to how Poverty in India is measured by various committees has relied heavily on defining a Poverty Line based on consumption expenditure. This method calculates the minimum monthly expenditure required per person to fulfil nutritional needs (caloric intake) and a certain level of non-food expenditures (like clothing, fuel, and shelter).
| Measurement Criteria Of Poverty in India | |
| Indicator / Method | Description |
| Consumption Expenditure | India measures poverty using per capita consumption expenditure, as it is considered a more stable and reliable indicator of long-term well-being compared to income. UN guides people through the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. |
| National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) | The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) conducted by the NSSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation provides the primary data for calculating poverty levels. |
| Revised Methodology (MMRP) | The Modified Mixed Recall Period (MMRP) method uses shorter recall periods for frequently purchased items, improving accuracy. It generally results in higher recorded consumption and lower poverty estimates. |
| Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) | Developed by NITI Aayog, the MPI measures poverty across three dimensions—Health, Education, and Living Standards. It tracks indicators like nutrition, years of schooling, access to sanitation, electricity, cooking fuel, and bank accounts, reflecting a comprehensive view of poverty beyond income. |
The official measurement and estimation of poverty in India have been subject to review and revision by several expert groups and committees on poverty in India established by the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog). These committees have periodically redefined the methodology and caloric norms, leading to different poverty line estimates over time.
| Committees On Poverty In India | ||
| Committee / Task Force | Year | Key Features / Recommendations |
| Y. K. Alagh Committee | 1979 | The purpose is to establish rural and urban poverty lines. It has been decided on the calorie intake. 2,400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2,100 in urban areas. |
| Lakdawala Committee | 1993 | The focus on poverty elimination using state-specific Consumer Price Index (CPI) data instead of a single national estimate. |
| Tendulkar Committee | 2009 | The Tendulkar committee decided to adopt the approach to the spending, food, housing, and education of a family in India. They used the calorie approach, adding other important things. |
| Rangarajan Committee | 2014 | Revised consumption baskets: ₹972/month for rural and ₹1,407/month for urban. |
| NITI Aayog’s Task Force | 2015 | NITI Aayog task force aimed to reduce poverty by providing employment opportunities in India. |
India has a long history of centralised efforts focused on poverty alleviation. The country’s commitment to social upliftment is demonstrated by numerous poverty eradication programmes in India launched over the decades, targeting both income generation and the provision of essential services.
| Poverty Eradication Programmes in India | ||
| Scheme / Programme | Year of Launch | Objective / Key Features |
| Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) | 2005 | Legally guarantees 100 days of wage employment per financial year to rural households whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. Provides wage security and helps create durable assets in rural areas. |
| National Food Security Mission (NFSM) | 2007 | Aims to strengthen food security by increasing the production of major crops and ensuring their availability to the poor. |
| Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) | 2011 | Focuses on organising the rural poor into Self Help Groups (SHGs), providing skill development and access to financial resources for sustainable livelihood and enhanced household income. |
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) | 2014 | A financial inclusion programme that provides bank accounts, credit, insurance, and pension access for the unbanked poor. Ensures Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of subsidies to reduce leakages. |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) | 2015 | Seeks to achieve ‘Housing for All’ by providing safe and permanent housing units to eligible urban and rural poor households. |
| Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) | 2016 | Aims to improve women’s health and safety by providing free LPG connections to BPL households, replacing traditional, polluting cooking fuels. |
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The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on October 17. It raises awareness about global poverty and encourages governments and individuals to take collective action to eliminate poverty and promote social justice.
The main goal is to highlight the struggles faced by people living in poverty and to inspire efforts toward building a world free from hunger, inequality, and social exclusion.
The 2025 theme focuses on “Building a Sustainable Future: Ending Poverty through Empowerment and Equality.” It emphasises empowering communities to achieve long-term, inclusive development.
Poverty in India is mainly measured using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) developed by NITI Aayog, which considers health, education, and living standards to capture a complete picture of poverty.
Key programmes include MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – NRLM, all aimed at providing employment, housing, financial inclusion, and skill development to reduce poverty.
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