Class 9 Social Science-Economics Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge

1. Short Notes for Revision

• Overview of Poverty: Multi-dimensional issue in India; NITI Aayog’s MPI shows decline from 55% (2005-06) to 15% (2019-21). Expected single digit soon. Affects landless labourers, urban poor in jhuggis.
• Cases of Poverty: Urban: Ram Saran (daily-wage mill worker, Rs 3,500/month, family of 6, inadequate food/clothes). Rural: Lakha Singh (landless, odd jobs Rs 200/day, family of 6, poor health, kuchha hut).
• Social Analysis of Poverty: Seen as deprivation; social scientists look at indicators like illiteracy, malnutrition, lack of sanitation/jobs/resistance to injustice. Social exclusion (denied opportunities), vulnerability (insecure livelihoods).
• Poverty Line: Minimum income/consumption for basics. India: Rs 816 rural, Rs 1000 urban/month (2011-12). Calorie-based: 2400 rural, 2100 urban/day. Varies by state.
• Poverty Trends: Head count ratio declined from 55% (1973) to 20% (2011-12). 270 million poor (2011-12). Faster rural decline due schemes. World: 689 million extreme poor (2019), expected rise post-COVID.
• Vulnerable Groups: SCs/STs/OBCs higher poverty. Women/elderly/children vulnerable. Rural agricultural labourers, urban casual workers poorest.
• Inter-State Disparities: Bihar/UP high poverty (>30%); Kerala/Punjab low (<10%). Recent reductions in Bihar/Odisha.
• Global Poverty: 5.7% extreme poor (World Bank, $2.15/day). Sub-Saharan Africa/South Asia high. Decline from 1.9 billion (1990) to 689 million (2019).
• Causes of Poverty: Colonial legacy, low growth till 1980s, unequal opportunities, population pressure, jobless growth, small land holdings, lack of skills.
• Anti-Poverty Measures: Growth-oriented (post-1990s, 8% growth). Schemes: MGNREGA (100 days work), PMRY (self-employment), SGSY (groups), AAY (food grains). Focus employment, food security.
• Challenges and Human Poverty: Inequality persists despite decline. Broaden to human poverty: Lack freedom, choices, security beyond income.

2. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. MPI in India 2019-21: A) 55% B) 25% C) 15% D) 5%
2. Ram Saran earns monthly: A) Rs 1,500 B) Rs 3,500 C) Rs 5,000 D) Rs 2,000
3. Poverty line rural (2011-12): A) Rs 816/month B) Rs 1000/month C) Rs 500/month D) Rs 2000/month
4. Poverty head count 2011-12: A) 55% B) 45% C) 20% D) 10%
5. Vulnerable group: A) Upper caste B) SCs/STs C) Urban rich D) Landowners
6. High poverty state: A) Kerala B) Bihar C) Punjab D) Haryana
7. Global extreme poor 2019: A) 1.9 billion B) 689 million C) 270 million D) 100 million
8. Cause of poverty: A) High growth B) Colonial history C) Equal opportunities D) Low population
9. MGNREGA provides: A) 50 days work B) 100 days work C) 200 days work D) 365 days work
10. Human poverty includes: A) Only income B) Freedom/choices C) Land ownership D) Job security only
11. Calorie requirement rural: A) 2100/day B) 2400/day C) 3000/day D) 1500/day
12. Poverty decline faster in: A) Urban B) Rural C) Global D) Equal
13. Social exclusion means: A) Included in society B) Denied opportunities C) High income D) Good health
14. AAY targets: A) Richest B) Poorest of poor C) Middle class D) Urban only
15. Jobless growth means: A) More jobs B) Growth without employment C) Less growth D) Agricultural jobs
16. PMRY for: A) Rural youth B) Educated unemployed C) Farmers D) Women only
17. Vulnerability to poverty: A) Secure livelihoods B) Insecure, prone to shocks C) High assets D) Good education
18. Inter-state low poverty: A) Bihar B) Odisha C) Kerala D) UP
19. Colonial cause: A) High development B) Rural handicrafts decline C) More jobs D) Equal land
20. Anti-poverty focus: A) Growth/employment B) Only food C) Land reform only D) Education only

Answer Key: 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B, 11-B, 12-B, 13-B, 14-B, 15-B, 16-B, 17-B, 18-C, 19-B, 20-A

3. Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSAQs)

1. What is MPI? Answer: Multidimensional Poverty Index by NITI Aayog.
2. MPI decline 2005-21? Answer: 55% to 15%.
3. Poverty line urban 2011-12? Answer: Rs 1000/month.
4. Poor in India 2011-12? Answer: 270 million.
5. Vulnerable groups? Answer: SCs, STs, OBCs, women, elderly, children.
6. High poverty state? Answer: Bihar.
7. Global extreme poor 2019? Answer: 689 million.
8. One cause of poverty? Answer: Low economic growth till 1980s.
9. MGNREGA days? Answer: 100 days employment.
10. Human poverty? Answer: Lack of freedom, choices, security.
11. Calorie urban? Answer: 2100/day.
12. Social exclusion? Answer: Denied equal opportunities.
13. Vulnerability? Answer: Prone to shocks, insecure livelihoods.
14. AAY? Answer: Antyodaya Anna Yojana for poorest.
15. Jobless growth? Answer: Economic growth without jobs.

4. Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs)

1. Describe urban poverty case. Answer: Ram Saran: Daily-wage mill worker, Rs 3,500/month, family 6, inadequate food/clothes, sends money to parents. Lives in shack; children work/help.
2. Explain social exclusion. Answer: Poor denied opportunities, live apart (jhuggis). Based on caste/economic status; limits access to resources/jobs.
3. What is poverty line? Answer: Minimum income for basics; calorie-based (2400 rural, 2100 urban). Varies state-wise; used for head count ratio.
4. Poverty trends India? Answer: Declined 55% (1973) to 20% (2011-12); 270 million poor. Rural faster due schemes; urban casual workers high.
5. Inter-state disparities? A) Bihar/UP >30%; Kerala/Punjab <10%. Recent reductions in poor states like Odisha.
6. Global poverty? Answer: 689 million extreme poor ($2.15/day); Sub-Saharan Africa high. Declined from 1.9 billion (1990); COVID may increase.
7. Causes of poverty? Answer: Colonial legacy (handicrafts decline), population pressure, unequal growth, small holdings, lack skills/jobs.
8. Anti-poverty measures? Answer: Growth-oriented approach; schemes like MGNREGA (employment), PMRY (self-employment), AAY (food security).
9. Challenges remaining? Answer: Inequality, uneven distribution; need inclusive growth. Broaden to human poverty (freedom/security).
10. Rural poverty case. Answer: Lakha Singh: Landless, odd jobs Rs 200/day, family 6, poor health, kuchha hut. Collects firewood; father died untreated.
11. Vulnerability? Answer: Poor more prone to shocks (illness, disasters); lack assets/buffers. Leads to deeper poverty.
12. Government role? Answer: Promotes growth, provides schemes for employment/food/credit. Targets vulnerable via reservations.
13. Human poverty? Answer: Beyond income; includes lack education/health/freedom. Official concept broadening.
14. Poverty analysis? Answer: Social scientists use indicators (illiteracy, malnutrition, sanitation). Helps understand multi-dimensional nature.
15. Inequality of incomes? Answer: Rich-poor gap wide; poverty persists despite growth. Need redistribution, inclusive policies.

5. Long Answer Type Questions (LAQs)

1. Analyze poverty as multi-dimensional. Answer: Poverty not just low income but deprivation in health, education, sanitation, jobs. Cases show landlessness, illiteracy, malnutrition, helplessness. Social exclusion denies opportunities; vulnerability to shocks deepens it. MPI captures this; fell from 55% to 15%. Social scientists emphasize indicators beyond money. Government schemes address but inequality remains. Human poverty broadens to freedom/choices.
2. Discuss poverty line/trends in India. Answer: Poverty line: Minimum for basics; Rs 816 rural, Rs 1000 urban (2011-12), calorie 2400/2100. Head count from NSSO surveys. Trends: 55% (1973) to 20% (2011-12), 270 million poor. Rural decline faster (schemes); urban casual workers high. Inter-state: Bihar high, Kerala low. Global comparison: India reduced but still large numbers. Challenges: Uneven, vulnerable groups.
3. Causes of poverty in India. Answer: Historical: Colonial drain, handicrafts decline. Economic: Low growth till 1980s, jobless growth post-reforms. Social: Population pressure, unequal land, caste discrimination. Rural: Small holdings, dependence on rain. Urban: Migration without skills. Lack industrialization, education/skills. Result: Cycle of poverty. Measures needed: Inclusive growth, skill development.
4. Evaluate anti-poverty measures. Answer: Growth-oriented: 8% post-1990s reduced poverty. Specific: MGNREGA (100 days rural work), PMRY/SGSY (self-employment), REGP (rural jobs), AAY (35 kg grains poorest). Target vulnerable via food security/credit. Success: Decline to 20%; but uneven, corruption leaks. Need better implementation, focus human development.
5. Global poverty trends/causes. Answer: 689 million extreme poor (2019, $2.15/day); declined from 1.9 billion (1990). High in Sub-Saharan Africa/South Asia; COVID may add 150 million. Causes: Inequality, conflicts, climate change, lack access. India/China reductions via growth. Need global efforts like SDGs for eradication by 2030.
6. Vulnerable groups/inter-state disparities. Answer: SCs/STs/OBCs, women/elderly/children higher poverty due discrimination/lack assets. Rural labourers, urban casual poorest. Disparities: Poor states (Bihar 33%) lag; rich (Goa 5%) better. Causes: Uneven development, resources. Policies: Targeted schemes, inclusive growth to reduce gaps.
7. Broaden poverty to human poverty. Answer: Official income-based narrow; human poverty includes lack education/health/freedom/security. Affects dignity, choices. India: Despite decline, malnutrition/illiteracy high. Need holistic approach: Universal basics, empowerment. MPI step forward capturing multi-dimensions.

6. Source-Based / Case-Based Assessment Questions

Source Extract: (From textbook) In our daily life, we come across many people who we think are poor. They could be landless labourers in villages or people living in overcrowded jhuggis in cities. NITI Aayog uses Multidimensional Poverty Index… fallen from 55 per cent in 2005–06 to 15 per cent in 2019–21.

Questions:

1. Who are poor examples?
2. What is MPI?
3. MPI decline period?
4. Expected future?
5. Analyze significance.

Answer Key:

1. Landless labourers, jhuggi dwellers.
2. Multidimensional Poverty Index.
3. 2005-06 to 2019-21.
4. Single digit soon.
5. Shows multi-dimensional progress beyond income.

Source Extract: (Urban case – Ram Saran) Thirty-three year old Ram Saran works as a daily-wage labourer… earns around Rs 3,500 a month… family of six… one-room rented house… meagre meal of dal and rice… only two pairs of clothes each.

Questions:

1. Ram Saran’s job?
2. Monthly earning?
3. Family size?
4. Living conditions?
5. Issues faced?
6. Link to vulnerability.

Answer Key:

1. Daily-wage mill labourer.
2. Rs 3,500.
3. One-room shack.
4. Inadequate food/clothes, child labour.
5. Insecure income, prone to poverty shocks.

Source Extract: (Rural case – Lakha Singh) Lakha Singh… no land… odd jobs… paid Rs 200… two square meals… kuchha hut… mother suffers from tuberculosis… primary school but he never went.

Questions:

1. Lakha’s occupation?
2. Daily pay?
3. Family conditions?
4. Health issue?
5. Education status?

Answer Key:

1. Odd jobs for farmers.
2. Rs 200.
3. Barely two meals, collects firewood.
4. Mother tuberculosis; father died.
5. Never attended; children do.

Source Extract: (Poverty line) Poverty line is the level of income… Rs 816 per capita per month rural, Rs 1,000 urban… based on calories: 2,400 rural, 2,100 urban.

Questions:

1. Poverty line basis?
2. Rural amount?
3. Calorie rural?
4. Why varies?
5. Criticism?
6. Use?

Answer Key:

1. Minimum for basics.
2. Rs 816/month.
3. 2400/day.
4. State costs differ.
5. Ignores non-food needs.
6. Head count ratio.

7. Solved Exercise-End Questions (NCERT Solutions)

1. Describe how the poverty line is estimated in India? Answer: Based on minimum income for food, clothes, etc. Calorie requirement: 2400 rural, 2100 urban. Converted to rupees using prices. 2011-12: Rs 816 rural, Rs 1000 urban. Adjusted for inflation/state variations.
2. Do you think that present methodology of poverty estimation is appropriate? Answer: No; calorie-focused ignores health/education/sanitation. MPI better as multi-dimensional. But simple for trends. Need comprehensive indicators.
3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1973? Answer: Declined from 55% (1973) to 20% (2011-12). Absolute poor 321 million (1973) to 270 million (2011-12). Rural faster; but uneven across states/groups.
4. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India? Answer: Colonial legacy, low growth, population rise, unequal distribution, small land holdings, lack jobs/skills, social factors like caste.
5. Identify the most vulnerable social and economic groups? Answer: SCs/STs/OBCs (social); agricultural labourers, casual urban workers (economic). Women/elderly/children also vulnerable.
6. Give an account of interstate disparities of poverty in India. Answer: High in Bihar (33%), Odisha (32%); low in Kerala (7%), Punjab (8%). Poor states rural/agricultural; rich industrialized/educated.
7. Describe global poverty trends. Answer: Extreme poor declined 1.9 billion (1990) to 689 million (2019). High in Sub-Saharan Africa. COVID may add; goal eradicate by 2030 via SDGs.
8. Describe current government strategy of poverty alleviation? Answer: Growth for jobs; schemes like MGNREGA (work), PM Gramodaya Yojana (housing), AAY (food). Focus self-employment, food security.
9. Answer the following questions briefly (i) What do you understand by human poverty? (ii) Who are the poorest of the poor? (iii) What are the main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005? Answer: (i) Beyond income; lack freedom/choices/security/education/health. (ii) Women, elderly, female infants. (iii) 100 days guaranteed work/year for rural households; unemployment allowance if not; women 1/3 beneficiaries.