The term ‘the link of poverty’ encompasses the complex relationships among poverty, income, race, discrimination, and access to services. The structure which binds these various factors demonstrates different and often multidimensional poverty experience such as a lack of income, a lack of employment, education, and discrimination. Each of these factors are interconnected and collectively prevent individuals and communities from reaching a minimum standard of living.

The ‘Poverty Alleviation’ Programme in India consists of various efforts to decrease poverty, with a particular emphasis on the poorest households. A large number of evaluations and modifications have been made to the poverty alleviation efforts, despite some degree of success, areas of research and program evaluation are quite limited and there remain several challenges. The objective of the Poverty Alleviation Programme aims to decrease poverty through a number of governmental initiatives to target specific subgroups, namely individuals that fall below the poverty line17. Significant initiatives such as the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) specifically target self-employment through skill-based training for marginalized communities15. Other initiatives consist of the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Awaas Yojana, which assists in providing housing specifically for the poorest communities, and the National Social Assistance Programme which aims to provide social security initiatives to the aged, disabled, and other vulnerable groups.

Although the Poverty Alleviation Program in India has caused a decline in poverty levels over the years, this is not without challenges, including urban-rural disparities, and how effective the schemes are in the real world1. Evaluations have ongoing demonstrated while programs such as the IRDP, and the National Social Assistance Programme, had some positive impacts, further critiques noted inefficiencies and useful strategies to more effectively outreach to intended beneficiaries19. Evaluations of this nature reinforce the need for continuously improving, redeveloping poverty alleviation efforts in response to changing societal needs.