Poverty in India: Economic Concepts and Policy for RBI Grade B

Understanding poverty, its measurement, and alleviation strategies is a core pillar of the Economic and Social Issues syllabus for the RBI Grade B examination. This text-based course breaks down these complex economic concepts into clear, digestible explanations designed for aspirants and beginners alike. You will transition from having a basic awareness of social indicators to deeply understanding how poverty is defined, calculated, and addressed by policymakers in India. Through structured readings, you will grasp both historical frameworks and modern multidimensional metrics. What you'll learn: Understand foundational definitions of absolute and relative poverty; Analyze the evolution of poverty estimation methodologies and historical committees in India; Identify the structural causes of poverty and their broader macroeconomic impacts; Evaluate key government poverty alleviation programmes and social security initiatives; Interpret modern data frameworks, including the Multidimensional Poverty Index; Apply economic concepts to analyze contemporary policy debates and development metrics. The course begins with essential terminology and conceptual definitions before exploring historical measurement committees, modern multidimensional frameworks, and active government welfare schemes. This course is designed for beginners, civil services aspirants, and RBI Grade B candidates seeking a structured, conceptual understanding of Indian economic issues with no prior economics background required. Start reading today to build a solid foundation in Indian economic policy and social development.