Kerala Becomes India’s First State to Eliminate Extreme Poverty

• Kerala has become the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty , marking a major milestone in its social development journey. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the achievement in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on November 1, 2025 , coinciding with the state’s Formation Day. The declaration represents the successful culmination of a four-year mission launched in 2021, soon after the government’s second term began.

Historic Milestone and Significance

• Speaking under Rule 300 in the Assembly, the Chief Minister described the achievement as a “new dawn” for Kerala, symbolising the creation of a “Nava Kerala” — a new Kerala built on equity and inclusion. He stated that eliminating extreme poverty was among the government’s earliest and most important promises. The announcement aligns with the state’s long-standing tradition of prioritising human development and social welfare.

Implementation and Local Governance Model

• The Extreme Poverty Eradication Mission was the first decision of the second Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet and was implemented under the coordination of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) and the Department of Local Self-Government . More than four lakh volunteers were trained to identify and assist extremely poor families.
• Pilot projects began in Wadakkanchery Municipality and the Anchuthengu and Thirunelli Grama Panchayats before being expanded statewide. Through detailed micro-level planning and continuous monitoring, 64,006 families were lifted out of extreme poverty.

Political and National Context

• Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. B. Rajesh hailed Kerala as the only state in India and the second region globally after China to declare freedom from extreme poverty. However, opposition leaders, including Rajeev Chandrasekhar , questioned the claim, attributing progress to central schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and PM Awas Yojana .

Kerala’s Inclusive Development Model

• Kerala’s success highlights the effectiveness of decentralised governance , community participation , and targeted welfare schemes . Initiatives like Kudumbashree and Life Mission played crucial roles in complementing the poverty eradication drive. Experts view Kerala’s approach as a replicable model for other states, demonstrating how sustained investment in social infrastructure and grassroots planning can eliminate extreme poverty.

Exam Pointers:

• Kerala declared free from extreme poverty on Nov 1, 2025 .

• Initiative launched in 2021 , coordinated by KILA .

• 64,006 families lifted from extreme poverty.

• Pilot projects: Wadakkanchery, Anchuthengu, Thirunelli .

• Kerala’s achievement: 1st in India , 2nd globally after China .