NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Chapter 3 Poverty As A Challenge

Question

1. Describe how the poverty line is estimated in India?

Ans: In India, poverty line is measured by considering the following factors:

• Minimum level of food requirement,

• Clothing

• Footwear

• Fuel and Light

• Education

• Medical requirement

These physical quantities are multiplied by their prices. The formula for food requirement was calculated by the desired calorie requirement. For example, in 1999 – 2000, the poverty line in the rural areas was fixed at Rs.328 per capita per month and in urban areas, it was Rs.454. People who were earning more than this amount were considered above the poverty line and those who were earning less than this amount were considered as living below the poverty line.

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

Ans: The methodology of poverty estimation that we are using now, takes only one factor in view and that is the economic factor. It considers about a “minimum” subsistence level of living instead of “reasonable” level of living.

Poverty is no longer confined to economic factors alone. Few persons may have been able to feed themselves but if they are without education, without shelter, without health-care, without job security, without self-confidence, without social equality, they will be considered poor. If poverty is to be removed and the people are to be brought above the poverty line, we need to increase their income also, we have to provide the people with education, shelter, health-care, job-security, respect.

3. Describe poverty trends in India since 1973?

Ans: As per the reports, there was a substantial decline in poverty ratio in India from 55% in 1973 to 36% in 1993. There was further decline from 36% in 1993 to 26% in 2000. But, the number of poor people remained stable, that is, 320 million from 1973 to 1993, there was a significant decrease in the number of poor people to about 260 million till 2000. The poverty ratio always remained higher in rural areas compared to urban areas.

4. Discuss the major reasons for poverty in India?

Ans: The major reasons for poverty in India are:

• Colonial Rule: India went through a phase where a low economic development was seen under the British colonial administration. The policies of the colonial government destroyed the traditional handicrafts and discouraged development of industries such as textiles.

• High growth in Population: The rapid growth of the poor in terms of population, was considered one of the major causes behind Indian poverty. Poor people were illiterate and they used to have a traditional outlook. Hence, they are ignorant of birth control measures. Moreover, they consider male children as an asset, since they are a source of income and a source of security during old age.

• Low Rate of Economic Development: The actual rate of economic development growth in India has always been below the required level. It has been around 4% since 1951, which resulted in less job opportunities. This was the reason for a high growth rate of population.

• Unemployment: The high degree of unemployment and underemployment is another important factor that can be held responsible for the incidence of high poverty in India. The job seekers are increasing at a higher rate than the increase in the employment opportunities.

• Unequal Distribution: The national income of India has been growing since 1951, since it was not properly distributed among different sections of the society. A large proportion of increased income has been pocketed by the rich, so they become richer. The majority of other sections of people have to live below the poverty line.

• Social Factors: There are many social factors, such as, caste system, joint family system, religious faiths, law of inheritance, etc., which block the path of economic development.

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

Ans: Social and Economic Groups that are vulnerable to Poverty:

• Scheduled caste households

• Rural agricultural labour households

• Urban casual labour households

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

Ans: The ratio of the poor section of people will not be the same in each and every state. There has been a significant decrease in poverty in every state since the early seventies, the success rate of reducing poverty varies from state to state. Orissa and Bihar are among the two poorest states which are having poverty ratios of 47 and 43 per cent respectively, both urban and rural poverty are high in these states. States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal had shown decline in poverty. Focus on Public distribution of food grains, human resource development, land reform measures and high agricultural development are some of the factors responsible for the decline in poverty in these states.

7. Describe global poverty trends.

Ans: A specific portion of people in developing countries living on less than $1 per day has decreased from 28% in 1990 to 21% in 2001. There has been a substantial deduction in global poverty since the 1980’s. Due to rapid economic growth and massive investment in human resource development, poverty declined substantially in China and Southeast Asian countries, the reduction in poverty is marked with great regional differences.

In South Asian countries, that is, in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, there is not rapid reduction. The ratio of poverty in Latin America has remained the same, in sub-Saharan Africa, poverty has increased from 41% in 1981 to 46% in 2001. As per the world development report of 2001, countries such as Nigeria, Bangladesh and India still have a greater percentage of people living under poverty.

8. Describe the current government strategy of poverty alleviation?

Ans: One of the major objectives of Indian developmental strategy is the removal of poverty. The government’s strategy is based on:

1. Promotion of Economic Growth
2. Targeted Anti-poverty Programmes

Some of the anti-poverty programmes launched by government at present are:

• Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY):

It was launched in 1993, it aims to create self-employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth in rural areas and small towns.

• Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY): 

It was launched in 2000, it aimed to create and improve basic services such as primary health, primary education, rural shelter, rural drinking water and rural electrification.

• National Food for Work programme (NFWP): 

It was launched in 2004, for almost 150 backward districts of the country, this programme is for all the rural poor who are in desperate need of wage employment and desire to do manual unskilled work.

• National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA): 

In September 2005, this act was passed. This act assures 100 days employment every year to each and every rural household in 200 districts. This was later extended to 600 districts and also 1/3rd proposed jobs were reserved for the women.

9. Answer the following questions briefly

i. What do you understand about human poverty?

Ans: Human poverty is a concept which tells us the situation that goes beyond the limited view of poverty as lack of income. The denial of political, social and economic opportunities for an individual so that he can maintain a “reasonable” standard of living. Major components of human poverty are - Illiteracy, lack of job opportunities, lack of access to proper healthcare and sanitation, caste and gender discrimination, etc.

ii. Who are the poorest of the poor?

Ans: Women, children, particularly the girl child and elder people in a poor family were regarded as the poorest of the poor, since they are systematically denied equal access to resources available to the family.

iii. What are the main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005?

Ans: Main features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005:

• The NREG Act assures 100 days employment every year to each and every household.
• Initially it covered 200 districts, the Act was extended to 600 districts later on.
• 1/3rd of the jobs are reserved for women.

Important Topics Covered in Class 9 Economics Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge

Why Refer Class 9 Economics Chapter 3 Questions and Answers

• NCERT Solutions thoroughly explains all key concepts related to poverty, including its definition, measurement, and the criteria for the poverty line. 

• Students can easily revise every important aspect of the chapter from poverty as a challenge question answer PDF.

• The solutions include real-life examples and statistical data to illustrate poverty trends and government initiatives.

• The solutions are aligned with the latest CBSE syllabus for the academic year 2025-26, ensuring that students study relevant and updated content, making their preparation effective and current.

• Class 9 Economics chapter 3 questions and answers makes it easier to identify and revise the most important points in the chapter.

• NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Chapter 3, “Poverty As Challenge”, provides all the main topics underlined so the student can focus on them.

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