Mahatma Gandhi had offered a profoundly important principle for governance and policymaking in independent India: “Whenever you are in doubt, recall the face of the poorest and weakest person you have seen and ask yourself whether the step you are about to take will be of any use to him.” This thought was not merely a moral message but represented the fundamental philosophy of democratic governance. Development becomes meaningful only when its benefits begin with the most deprived person in society and ultimately reach the entire community.
Over the past nearly twelve years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has implemented several policies and schemes aimed at ensuring that development reaches the last person in society. From this perspective, the true evaluation of the Modi government’s success should be based on its social impact, improvement in living standards, and equal access to opportunities.
As we know, after 2014, the guiding principle of governance became “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with All, Development for All, Trust of All, Efforts by All). The essence of this approach was to ensure that development did not remain limited to select groups but reached the broader population with inclusive participation. Under this vision, efforts were made to place the poor, rural communities, disadvantaged sections, and citizens deprived of basic facilities at the center of policymaking. As a result, while earlier Congress governments emphasized the slogan of poverty eradication, the BJP government claims to have enabled a large number of poor people to rise above the poverty line.
In this context, poverty alleviation statistics are noteworthy. According to the World Bank’s 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief, extreme poverty in India declined from 16.2 per cent in 2011–12 to 2.3 per cent in 2022–23 and approximately 171 million people moved out of extreme poverty. When measured using the lower-middle-income poverty line, an estimated 378 million people are considered to have risen out of poverty. This transformation is viewed not merely as an increase in income but also as an indicator of expanded access to basic services and social security mechanisms. This, in itself, represents a significant achievement.
Among the most important initiatives in the direction of Antyodaya has been financial inclusion. A large number of citizens who had remained outside the formal banking system were connected through bank accounts, direct benefit transfersband digital payment systems. This made it possible to deliver government support more directly and transparently to beneficiaries while reducing intermediary layers between governance and citizens.
Gandhiji placed special emphasis on the dignity of village life and ordinary citizens. In line with this vision, priority was given to essential facilities such as housing, sanitation, electricity and drinking water. Through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, permanent housing was promoted; through the Swachh Bharat Mission, sanitation was transformed into a mass movement; and initiatives such as Har Ghar Jal sought to expand access to life’s basic necessities. The objective of these schemes was not merely to provide facilities but also to lay the foundation for a dignified life.
Women’s empowerment was also linked with the philosophy of Antyodaya. Efforts were made to provide clean cooking fuel through the Ujjwala Scheme, encourage self-help groups and increase women’s economic participation. These initiatives aimed to strengthen women’s health, reduce labor burdens and enhance their social participation.
In the field of health security, initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat have been regarded as significant for poor families. For a long time, illness and treatment expenses pushed many households toward financial distress. To reduce this challenge, efforts were made to strengthen access to healthcare services and financial protection mechanisms.
With respect to rural India and farmers, initiatives such as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, irrigation expansion, promotion of natural farming, and increased technological adoption in agriculture were introduced. These measures sought to make agriculture more productive, sustainable and income-generating. At the same time, rural India was increasingly viewed not merely as a recipient of assistance but as an active participant in the mainstream of national development.
Poverty eradication cannot be achieved solely through the distribution of aid; it requires the creation of opportunities. Accordingly, emphasis was placed on policies promoting skill development, startups, self-employment, and micro and small enterprises. Efforts to connect youth with employment and entrepreneurship were also extensions of this broader vision.
The COVID-19 pandemic became a real test of the social security system. During this period, efforts were made to provide food assistance, healthcare services and essential support on a large scale. This demonstrated how important a strong welfare infrastructure becomes during times of crisis.
However, the performance of any government should be evaluated with a balanced perspective. Challenges such as the quality of employment, income inequality, standards of education and healthcare, regional disparities and long-term economic opportunities still persist. Therefore, the goal of Antyodaya cannot yet be considered fully achieved. In reality, it remains a continuous process that requires sustained improvement and active social participation.
Overall, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, governance in recent years appears to have moved toward making development broader and more inclusive. With the goal of building a strong, self-reliant and developed nation, there has been a sincere and meaningful effort in policy formulation and implementation to ensure that development reaches the last person in society.State government should also make policies keeping in mind the centre vision.
