Anti-Poverty Measures – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 3 Notes & PDF

Topic covered: Anti-Poverty Measures and MCQs Questions: Poverty as a Challenge (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Anti-Poverty Measures“ from the NCERT Economics notes for class 9th chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge.

Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge Notes PDF

Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge in Class 9 Economics deals with one of the most pressing social issues in India. The chapter explains how poverty is measured, its causes, and the everyday struggles faced by poor households. Many students often find the terms like “social exclusion” or “vulnerability” tricky, so these notes break them down with examples that are easy to follow. You’ll also get a clear picture of government schemes and policies aimed at reducing poverty. Download the NCERT Economics for Class 9th Chapter 3 Poverty as a Challenge Notes PDF to revise key points quickly and confidently.

Anti-Poverty Measures

1. Broad Anti-Poverty Strategy:

• Removal of poverty = major goal of India’s development strategy.
• Two main approaches:
  i. Promotion of economic growth.
  ii. Targeted anti-poverty programmes.

2. Economic Growth and Poverty:

• 1950s–early 1980s:
  i. Little growth in per capita income.
  ii. Poverty stayed around 45%.
• Since 1980s:
  i. India’s growth among the fastest in the world.
  ii. Growth rate jumped from 3.5% (1970s) to 6% (1980s–1990s).
• 2000–2020: rapid economic development continued.
• Link between growth & poverty reduction:
  i. Growth widens opportunities.
  ii. Provides resources for human development.
  iii. Encourages families to invest in children’s education (including girls).
• Limitation: Growth in the agriculture sector remains low, affecting rural poor.

3. Need for Targeted Programmes:

• Many poor, especially in villages, depend on agriculture.
• Hence, targeted schemes are necessary alongside growth.

4. Major Anti-Poverty Programmes:

I. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005

• Provides 100 days wage employment to rural households.
• Aims at livelihood security + sustainable development (drought, deforestation, soil erosion).
• 1/3rd jobs reserved for women.
• Wage rate for unskilled workers revised regularly.

II. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Abhiyan (PM Poshan)

• Flagship programme for nutritional security + education.
• Goals:
  i. Improve calorie & protein intake of children.
  ii. Increase school enrolment & reduce dropouts.
• Covers Classes I–VIII in govt & aided schools.
• Implemented with support of local governments & communities.
• Encourages regular attendance and better classroom concentration.

III. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (2016)

• Aim: reduce maternal & infant mortality.
• Provides quality antenatal care across India.
• Services offered on 9th day of every month.
• Involves private practitioners volunteering at govt health facilities.

IV. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY, 2016)

• Goal: women empowerment & clean energy access.
• Provides free LPG connection + first refill + stove to poor households (BPL, SC, ST, forest dwellers, marginalised).
• Connections issued in female member’s name.
• Benefits:
  i. Prevents respiratory diseases & poor eyesight caused by smoke.
  ii. Reduces deforestation & carbon emissions.
  iii. Saves women’s time – encourages social & economic participation.

5. Exam Tip:

• Always connect growth & poverty reduction in answers.
• For programmes, remember launch year, target group, and benefits.
• MGNREGA = 2005, PM Poshan = nutrition + schooling, PMSMA = safe pregnancies, PMUY = LPG for BPL women.

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Economics Class 9 Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge

MCQs on NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 3 Topic – Anti-Poverty Measures

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Anti-Poverty Measures” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. Which of the following has been one of the major objectives of India’s developmental strategy?

a) Industrialisation only
b) Removal of poverty
c) Promoting urbanisation
d) Encouraging privatisation

Answer: b) Removal of poverty

Question 2. The current anti-poverty strategy of the government is broadly based on how many factors?

a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four

Answer: b) Two

Question 3. Which of the following are the two factors of the current anti-poverty strategy?

a) Economic growth and foreign investment
b) Economic growth and industrialisation
c) Promotion of economic growth and targeted anti-poverty programmes
d) Land reforms and industrialisation

Answer: c) Promotion of economic growth and targeted anti-poverty programmes

Question 4. What was the official poverty estimate in the early 1950s?

a) 25%
b) 35%
c) 45%
d) 55%

Answer: c) 45%

Question 5. What was the approximate annual economic growth rate in India during the 1970s?

a) 2%
b) 3.5%
c) 5%
d) 6%

Answer: b) 3.5%

Question 6. India’s growth rate during the 1980s and 1990s increased to around:

a) 4%
b) 5%
c) 6%
d) 8%

Answer: c) 6%

Question 7. The link between economic growth and poverty reduction is:

a) Weak
b) Strong
c) Non-existent
d) Seasonal

Answer: b) Strong

Question 8. Which sector’s slow growth has a direct bearing on poverty in India?

a) IT sector
b) Agriculture sector
c) Banking sector
d) Transport sector

Answer: b) Agriculture sector

Question 9. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was launched in which year?

a) 2002
b) 2005
c) 2008
d) 2010

Answer: b) 2005

Question 10. How many days of wage employment does MGNREGA guarantee to rural households?

a) 50 days
b) 75 days
c) 100 days
d) 150 days

Answer: c) 100 days

Question 11. What proportion of jobs under MGNREGA are reserved for women?

a) One-fourth
b) One-third
c) Half
d) All

Answer: b) One-third

Question 12. Which flagship programme was initiated to improve nutritional intake and school enrolment?

a) PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
b) PM Ujjwala Yojana
c) PM Poshan Shakti Abhiyan
d) PM Awas Yojana

Answer: c) PM Poshan Shakti Abhiyan

Question 13. PM Poshan Shakti Abhiyan targets students of which classes?

a) Classes I to V
b) Classes I to VIII
c) Classes VI to X
d) Classes IX to XII

Answer: b) Classes I to VIII

Question 14. Which programme was launched in 2016 to reduce maternal and infant mortality?

a) PM Poshan Abhiyan
b) PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
c) PM Ujjwala Yojana
d) PM Awas Yojana

Answer: b) PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

Question 15. On which day of every month are services provided under PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan?

a) 1st day
b) 5th day
c) 9th day
d) 15th day

Answer: c) 9th day

Question 16. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in which year?

a) 2014
b) 2015
c) 2016
d) 2017

Answer: c) 2016

Question 17. PM Ujjwala Yojana aims to provide which of the following?

a) Free ration
b) Clean cooking fuel (LPG)
c) Free education
d) Free housing

Answer: b) Clean cooking fuel (LPG)

Question 18. Who are the target beneficiaries of PMUY?

a) BPL households, SCs, STs, forest dwellers, marginalised groups
b) Only urban middle class
c) Only government employees
d) Only industrial workers

Answer: a) BPL households, SCs, STs, forest dwellers, marginalised groups

Question 19. In PMUY, LPG connections are issued in the name of:

a) Male head of the family
b) Female member of the family
c) Local Panchayat
d) Government officer

Answer: b) Female member of the family

Question 20. Which of the following is NOT an objective of PM Ujjwala Yojana?

a) Women empowerment
b) Smoke-free kitchen
c) Increasing respiratory diseases
d) Reducing deforestation

Answer: c) Increasing respiratory diseases