GS2 · Topic
Poverty and Hunger
Measurement, food security and the programmes against them.
73 UPSC Mains GS2 questions on Poverty and Hunger that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Despite economic growth, multidimensional poverty continues to persist in India. Analyse the underlying causes and discuss the measures taken by the government to address them.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
India faces a paradox of food surplus and nutritional deficit. Analyse the structural reasons behind this paradox and suggest reform strategies.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
Given India's strides in reducing extreme poverty, should the country consider redefining its poverty line to better reflect the current socio-economic realities? Discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with redefinition of the poverty line.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
The SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has been hailed as an indigenous tool for poverty alleviation in India. Examine its impact on improving rural livelihoods and reducing multi-dimensional poverty.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
The focus of welfare schemes in India is shifting from "well-being" towards "over-dependency". In light of this, do you agree that welfare schemes have inculcated a "freebies culture" in India leading to a divergence of focus from poverty and hunger alleviation?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Policy Design and ImplementationWelfare Schemes
Discuss the role of microfinance institutions (MFI) in rural financial empowerment in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPolicy Design and Implementation
The first step to eradicating poverty is reliable poverty assessment for program design, implementation, and monitoring. In this context discuss the methodology and significance of NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
Discuss the unique challenges and opportunities Self Help Groups (SHGs) encounter in urban areas compared to rural ones, and how can microfinance be adapted to tackle urban poverty.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
Understanding the extent, source, and complexity of deprivations among the multidimensionally poor contributes to more informed policymaking. In this context, analyze the latest National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report by NITI Aayog.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
To what extent collaboration between the state and civil society organizations (CSOs) help in addressing poverty and malnutrition in the country?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
Identify the SDGs that are related to Health. Discuss the success of the government initiatives in achieving the same.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022
HealthWelfare Schemes
"India's poverty lies in the eyes of the beholder." In light of this statement, examine the need for a credible and periodically updated poverty estimation framework in the country.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
Hunger can be viewed as the most severe and critical manifestation of poverty. In this context, analyze the linkage between hunger and poverty. How has India fared in tackling the vicious cycle of hunger and poverty?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
To what extent, in your opinion, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India have enabled women led development at the grassroot level?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Despite consistent economic growth and social sector spending, India continues to perform poorly in global human development rankings. Examine the structural issues that inhibit equitable and inclusive human development.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Social Sector ServicesPoverty and Hunger
Do you agree with the view that time has come to formulate an Urban Employment Guarantee scheme at the national level?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Policy Design and ImplementationPoverty and Hunger
Analyze the potential challenges and benefits involved in leveraging SHGs as platforms for skill development, entrepreneurship, and income generation among marginalized communities to effectively counter poverty.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyPoverty and Hunger
"Low alignment between educational outcomes and market needs can widen social and economic inequalities." Examine this statement in the context of India's skills ecosystem.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
EducationPoverty and Hunger
Mission Antyodaya has proved to be an important step towards alleviation of multi-dimensional poverty in India. Critically Analyze.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Policy Design and ImplementationPoverty and Hunger
"Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a viable solution to eradicate extreme poverty in India." Critically discuss the statement.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
Even as India experiences consistent economic growth and has achieved self-sufficiency in food production, hunger and food insecurity remain pressing concerns. Examine the factors responsible for this paradox and suggest steps to improve the situation.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2017–2025
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
While many people have been able to rise above poverty line, India is still home to the largest number of poor. Discuss briefly the underlying factors responsible for the prevalence of poverty in India. What are the areas in which focussed efforts need to be made in order to accelerate poverty eradication in a sustainable manner?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
What is Learning Poverty? Analyze the impact of the CoViD-19 Pandemic on the learning poverty of children in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
EducationPoverty and Hunger
Hunger is both a cause and a consequence of poverty, and addressing it requires a multidimensional approach. Analyze the effectiveness of a multidimensional approach with examples from key government initiatives.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
"The fight against poverty is at the core of the Sustainable Development Goals". In this context, highlight the interlinkages between poverty alleviation and various SDGs. Also, assess the effectiveness of the measures taken by the government for achieving the same.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Poverty and HungerWelfare Schemes
Despite the implementation of numerous policies and schemes aimed at combating hunger and malnutrition in the country, their effectiveness remains limited. Analyse.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
What are the key determinants of malnutrition among under-five children in the country? Also, elaborate on the role of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions in addressing this issue.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
HealthPoverty and Hunger
Explain the significance of the recently launched National Nutritional Strategy in the light of sliding ranking of India along the Global Hunger Index. Also, discuss with examples, the role that local self governments can play in promoting, monitoring and sustaining nutrition initiatives.
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2020
Poverty and HungerPolicy Design and Implementation
Poverty is driving women into the workforce, while education seems to drive them out of it. What explains this anomaly? How can Self Help Groups (SHGs) correct this aberration?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
NGOs, SHGs and Civil SocietyWomen and Gender
Assess the performance of MGNREGA in generation of sustainable employment and creation of durable assets in rural India. Can this model be replicated in urban areas as well?
15 marks · 250 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
Welfare SchemesPolicy Design and Implementation