📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Narendra Modi
National
Modi Highlights Historic Drop in India's Extreme Poverty Using World Bank Report
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 02:41 AM
👁 2
Prime Minister Narendra Modi referenced a World Bank study that shows a sharp decline in extreme poverty in India, calling it historic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited a recent World Bank report that documents a substantial reduction in the share of Indians living in extreme poverty. Speaking at a national forum, he described the findings as a historic milestone for the country.
The report, compiled by the global financial institution, compares poverty indicators over the past decade and notes that India's progress outpaces many peer economies. Modi linked the improvement to sustained government programmes aimed at inclusive growth, rural development and social welfare.
Modi emphasized that the data validates the effectiveness of policies such as direct cash transfers, rural employment schemes and expanded access to education and health services. He urged continued focus on eradicating poverty entirely, stating that the nation must build on this momentum to ensure that no household remains in extreme deprivation.
The World Bank’s analysis also places India's performance in a broader global context, highlighting that the country has moved closer to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of halving extreme poverty by 2030. Officials said the report will serve as a benchmark for future policy planning.
Looking ahead, the government plans to deepen investment in infrastructure, digital connectivity and skill development to sustain the downward trend and lift more citizens out of poverty.
The report, compiled by the global financial institution, compares poverty indicators over the past decade and notes that India's progress outpaces many peer economies. Modi linked the improvement to sustained government programmes aimed at inclusive growth, rural development and social welfare.
Modi emphasized that the data validates the effectiveness of policies such as direct cash transfers, rural employment schemes and expanded access to education and health services. He urged continued focus on eradicating poverty entirely, stating that the nation must build on this momentum to ensure that no household remains in extreme deprivation.
The World Bank’s analysis also places India's performance in a broader global context, highlighting that the country has moved closer to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of halving extreme poverty by 2030. Officials said the report will serve as a benchmark for future policy planning.
Looking ahead, the government plans to deepen investment in infrastructure, digital connectivity and skill development to sustain the downward trend and lift more citizens out of poverty.