The Challenges Ahead – NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 3 Notes & PDF
Topic covered: The Challenges Ahead, Summary, 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 “The Challenges Ahead“ 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.
The Challenges Ahead
1. Status of Poverty in India:
- Poverty in India has declined, but it is still the biggest challenge.
- Disparities remain:
i. Between rural and urban areas.
ii. Between different States.
iii. Among social and economic groups (some are more vulnerable).
2. Factors Supporting Poverty Reduction:
- Higher economic growth.
- Greater focus on universal education.
- Decline in population growth.
- Empowerment of women and weaker sections of society.
3. Limitations of Income-Based Poverty Definition:
- Income poverty = only shows minimum subsistence level, not reasonable living standard.
- Misses out on:
a. Education.
b. Shelter.
c. Health care.
d. Job security.
e. Self-confidence.
f. Freedom from caste and gender discrimination.
g. Absence of child labour.
4. Concept of Human Poverty:
- Scholars argue for a broader view of poverty = “Human Poverty.”
- Focus on overall quality of life, not just survival.
5. Changing Definition of Poverty:
- With development, the idea of poverty evolves.
- Standards rise from “minimum” to “reasonable” living conditions.
6. Measurement of Poverty in India:
- Various approaches to measure poverty studied in the chapter.
- National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NITI Aayog):
i. Shows a decline in number and proportion of poor.
ii. Reflects success of recent government interventions.
7. Exam Tip:
- When answering, contrast income-based poverty with human poverty.
- Remember: poverty reduction = not only about growth but also education, empowerment, equality, health, and dignity.
Summary
- Different approaches of measuring poverty have been studied in the chapter.
- National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):
a. Put forward by NITI Aayog in collaboration with UNDP and Oxford Policy and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
b. Reveals that on Headcount Ratio (HCR) of multidimensionally poor, there has been a considerable reduction. - State-wise Performance:
a. Kerala and Tamil Nadu – reached less than 10% on the HCR front.
b. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan – still lagging behind but show significant decline in MPI poor. - Government Interventions (2005–06 to 2019–21): Played a major role in reducing multidimensional poverty in the above lagging states.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Economics Class 9 Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge
MCQs on NCERT Economics Class 9 Chapter 3 Topic – The Challenges Ahead
Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “The Challenges Ahead” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. Poverty reduction remains India’s most:
a) Minor challenge
b) Compelling challenge
c) Temporary challenge
d) Rural challenge
Answer: b) Compelling challenge
Question 2. Wide disparities in poverty in India are visible between:
a) Rural and urban areas
b) States
c) Social and economic groups
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Question 3. Which of the following factors is expected to help in poverty reduction?
a) Declining population growth
b) Higher economic growth
c) Universal education
d) Empowerment of weaker sections
e) All of the above
Answer: e) All of the above
Question 4. The income-based definition of poverty captures only:
a) All aspects of poverty
b) Social discrimination
c) A limited part of poverty
d) None of these
Answer: c) A limited part of poverty
Question 5. According to scholars, the concept of poverty should be broadened into:
a) Social poverty
b) Cultural poverty
c) Human poverty
d) Political poverty
Answer: c) Human poverty
Question 6. Which of the following is NOT a concern of human poverty?
a) Education
b) Shelter
c) Job security
d) High per capita income
Answer: d) High per capita income
Question 7. Which social issues are associated with human poverty in India?
a) Caste discrimination
b) Gender discrimination
c) Child labour
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Question 8. Worldwide experience shows that with development, the definition of poverty:
a) Remains the same
b) Becomes narrower
c) Changes
d) Disappears completely
Answer: c) Changes
Question 9. The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) has been put forward by:
a) World Bank
b) NITI Aayog
c) IMF
d) Planning Commission
Answer: b) NITI Aayog
Question 10. The NMPI was prepared in collaboration with which organisations?
a) WHO and WTO
b) UNDP and Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative
c) UNESCO and UNICEF
d) FAO and ILO
Answer: b) UNDP and Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative
Question 11. Which indicator is used in NMPI to measure multidimensional poverty?
a) Headcount Ratio (HCR)
b) GDP per capita
c) GNP
d) National Income
Answer: a) Headcount Ratio (HCR)
Question 12. Which states had less than 10% HCR in recent years?
a) Bihar and UP
b) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
c) Rajasthan and MP
d) Haryana and Punjab
Answer: b) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Question 13. Between 2005–06 and 2019–21, significant decline in MPI poor was seen in:
a) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
b) Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
c) Haryana and Punjab
d) Delhi and Maharashtra
Answer: b) Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan
Question 14. Which factor contributed to the decline in multidimensionally poor in India in recent years?
a) Population growth
b) Government interventions
c) Industrial decline
d) Agricultural stagnation
Answer: b) Government interventions
Question 15. Poverty reduction is expected to make India a better place mainly through:
a) Human poverty only
b) Higher growth, education, women empowerment, population control
c) Political reforms
d) Industrialisation only
Answer: b) Higher growth, education, women empowerment, population control