1973-74 320 million 55% 2011-12 270 million 22%

Classified into Self-Employment, Wage Employment, Social Security, and Food Security Programmes.

Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP): Introduced 1980, renamed Swarnajayanthi Grama Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) in 1999.
SGSY: Merged TRYSEM, DWCRA, GKY, MSW, SITRA programs. Forms SHGs, develops infrastructure, technology, credit, and marketing.

National Rural Employment Programme (NREP): Renamed Food for Work Programme (1980). Centrally sponsored. Develops community assets (wells, roads, schools).
Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP): Launched 1983 to supplement NREP. 100% Union Govt. funded.
Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) & Nehru Rozgar Yojana (NRY): NREP and RLEGP merged into JRY (1999). Aims for gainful employment in rural areas. NRY for urban areas.
Million Well Scheme (MWS): Open irrigation wells for poor SC/ST farmers.
Indira Awas Yojana (IAY): Houses for SC/ST and other poor families.
Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana: Gramin Awas (PMRY-GA): Launched 2000 for rural housing.
National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) / MGNREGP (2005): Guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual work per household per year. Implemented in backward districts first, then nationwide. Renamed Mahatma Gandhi NREGP.

Aims to ensure food security for masses, addressing distribution issues despite sufficient production.
Public Distribution System (PDS): Food grains at cheaper prices through Fair Price Shops, ration shops.
Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS): Initiated 1997, aims at BPL families.
Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS): Nutrition for children <6, pregnant/lactating women.
Mid-day Meal at School (PM Poshan): Launched 1995 nationally.
Annapurna Scheme (2000-01): Covers poor old people not receiving pensions.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana: Highly subsidized food grains for the poorest of the poor.

Improved PCI (1950-51: Rs 274, 2010-11: Rs 54,835) and average standard of living.
No radical changes in asset ownership, production, or basic facilities for the needy.
Major areas of concern:
1. Unequal distribution of land/assets means benefits appropriated by non-poor.
2. Insufficient resource allocation compared to poverty magnitude.
3. Non-participation of local level institutions.

Poverty eradicated when poor actively contribute to growth through social mobilization and empowerment.
Create employment opportunities, increase income, skill development, health, and lit