For generations, we have constantly heard the words “poverty” and “inequality.” The global mission has always been to reduce these gaps, since they act as major constraints on progress. These issues are universal, but their severity and nature differ from country to country, and even within regions of the same country. We need to address multidimensional Poverty for inclusive growth, and everyone needs to understand that it is very difficult to define Poverty since the shape of Poverty has been changing over time in the past, present, and future, requiring the governments to address it.
In addition to this, “Equality and Inequality” shall be addressed in the perspective of the weighted average category of each range of the same strata by addressing the minimisation of the spread between the desired and actual requirements for the basic needs needed for the dignified lives of the people in the country.
Recently, the World Bank released a worldwide ranking on income inequality, based on its established methodology. Such studies, conducted by globally recognised institutions, apply uniform standards to measure key indicators across all nations. Similarly, India has been adopting internationally accepted practices. Since 2015, NITI Aayog has been monitoring performance through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using 248 indicators as per UN standards. This reform has enabled India to align with the best global benchmarks.
State governments have also been proactive. For instance, Andhra Pradesh has formulated “Swarna Andhra 2047 – 10 Sutras” in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. These frameworks help States track, review, and report progress systematically, while contributing meaningfully to the nation’s growth.
Macro and Micro-Level Evaluation
The essence of this process lies in evaluating performance at both macro and micro levels in terms of poverty eradication, reducing inequalities, and delivering services to citizens. International institutions provide rankings across countries, while national and state-level agencies assess progress within India, down to the district level.
As Chairman of the Twenty Point Programme Implementation Committee, Government of Andhra Pradesh, I have toured all 26 districts of the State, monitoring, reviewing, and reporting on the implementation of central and State schemes. I also undertook a study tour in Rajasthan to exchange best practices, with similar engagements planned in other states. These extensive reviews, combined with reliable government data, provide an authentic picture of progress at the grassroots level. In this process, now education and health have been given utmost priority for achieving the results objectively.
Observations on India’s Progress
India has witnessed significant improvements in welfare and development, especially in reducing multidimensional poverty. However, challenges remain in balancing income levels, expenditure capacities, infrastructure development, and technological advancement across such a vast and populous nation. These inequalities—though sharper in India—are not unique to us; even developed countries continue to face similar issues, albeit at different scales.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat Sankalp aims not only at achieving a $35 trillion economy and $24,000 per capita income by 2047, but more importantly, at creating opportunities for every family and every citizen to participate in this growth. The true vision is holistic—ensuring dignity, equality, and prosperity for all.
Equality as the Foundation of Viksit Bharat
The process of building a Viksit Bharat is rooted in promoting equality within social and economic strata. This includes ensuring:
- Basic needs for dignified living
- Access to quality education and healthcare
- Opportunities for savings and financial security
- World-class social infrastructure
- A society where happiness and well-being are central indicators of progress
Inequality, therefore, must be understood as the gap between basic dignified needs and the actual capacity to utilise available services. To bridge this gap, the Union Government, under Prime Minister Modi, has aligned performance evaluations of schemes with SDG indicators. Similarly, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has introduced Swarna Andhra 10 Sutras to drive Andhra Pradesh’s development in line with the national vision, ensuring the State’s contributions to Viksit Bharat.
The key message is clear: every State must set its own ambitious goals and targets for growth. Only then will the collective vision of a Viksit Bharat—an India free from inequality—become a reality.
Measurable Progress
According to World Bank data, since 2012–13, 27 million people out of 35 million have moved out of acute poverty in India. International agencies also project that poverty reduction will accelerate faster in the next five years than in the past.
This progress is a direct result of flagship initiatives implemented with an Antyodaya spirit—ensuring that benefits reach the last person in the line.
Key achievements include:
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Over Rs 40 lakh crore transferred to 55 crore Jan Dhan accounts with zero leakage
- Housing: 4 crore homes constructed for the poor
- Water Supply: Safe tap water for 15.69 crore rural households (81% coverage) under Jal Jeevan Mission; urban households served under AMRUT
- Food Security: Free food grains under Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, benefiting 80 crore citizens since 2021
- Education & Skills: Implementation of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and PM SHRI Schools for quality education and skill development
- Healthcare: 41 crore Ayushman Bharat health cards issued (Rs 5 lakh coverage per person), with 9.84 crore admissions completed by July 2025
- Women Empowerment: Lakhpati Didis and Drone Didis initiatives—1 crore women already transformed into Lakhpatis; target expanded to 3 crore
- Youth Empowerment: PM Internship Scheme—6.21 lakh applications, 1.53 lakh offers made, 51,000 accepted placements in Fortune 500 companies
- Entrepreneurship & Startups: Skill Development Centres boosting Startup India and building an Atmanirbhar Bharat
A review of data from the past 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership proves that acute poverty has been drastically reduced, and the lives of millions have improved. However, to achieve sustainable equality and dignity for all citizens, government schemes must continue to evolve strategically, ensuring inclusiveness in every aspect of growth.
The dream of Viksit Bharat will be realised not just through economic numbers, but by empowering every individual, every family, and every State to contribute to the nation’s journey toward equality, prosperity, and happiness by reducing the number of people living in poverty. It shall be continued with relentless efforts for future since the measures and conditions of the “ Poverty “ changes from one period to another period in all the ages in the history and it continues in the future.
