India winning the poverty fight

Contrary to popular belief, democracy is about far more than holding elections or ensuring the peaceful transfer of political power. At its core lies the duty of elected representatives to respond to the fundamental needs of all citizens — especially the marginalised and vulnerable — regardless of their political or religious affiliations. Reducing poverty and fostering inclusive development are critical to fulfilling this democratic responsibility.

- Shamika Ravi

It is important to recognise that poverty is not merely a lack of income and access to basic necessities. It denies individuals dignity, blocks social mobility, and prevents full and equal participation in society. Viewed from this perspective, poverty reduction is a useful metric for evaluating a government's accountability.

India offers a striking case study. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 years in office, the country has experienced rapid economic growth. But has that growth been truly inclusive? Has it meaningfully improved the lives of the most disadvantaged?

In 2014, an expert group led by former Reserve Bank of India Governor Chakravarthi Rangarajan introduced a new metric for measuring poverty, providing a valuable tool for assessing the Indian government's progress. Known as the “Rangarajan line’, it incorporates three features that make it a reliable benchmark. First, it uses the Modified Mixed Recall Period (MMRP) method, which relies on detailed expenditure data across a wide range of goods and services to yield an accurate overview of actual consumption patterns.