Introduction:
Poverty has been one of the major socio-economic challenges in India since independence. To combat poverty and unemployment, the Government of India has introduced various schemes and programs aimed at improving living standards, generating employment, and ensuring inclusive growth. These programs target rural as well as urban areas and focus on both wage and self-employment.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAME IN INDIA:
a. Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP)
The Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP) was one of India’s major poverty alleviation programs, launched to improve the economic and social conditions of the rural poor. The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was launched in 1978–79 on a pilot basis and extended to all districts of India by 1980. It aimed to provide self-employment opportunities to the rural poor through productive assets and skill development.This program is to provide self-employment opportunities to rural poor through asset creation and financial assistance. It focuses on Subsidy and bank credit to small farmers, artisans, and landless laborers. The Objectives of this program is as follows.
To eliminate rural poverty by raising the income and living standards of poor families. To promote self-employment among rural people through the provision of assets and skills. To ensure integrated development of rural areas by combining various sectoral programs (agriculture, animal husbandry, small industries, etc.).
b. Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM) (1979)
The Training of Rural Youth for Self Employment (TRYSEM) program was launched by the Government of India in 1979 as a component of the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP). Its main goal was to equip rural youth with technical and entrepreneurial skills so that they could become self-employed rather than depend on wage employment. The aim is to provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to rural youth between 18–35 years. Integrated later with IRDP. The objectives of this program are
To train rural youth from families below the poverty line (BPL) in various skills. To enable self-employment through the acquisition of technical and vocational abilities. To support IRDP by ensuring that beneficiaries could effectively use the assets provided under that program. To reduce rural unemployment and underemployment among young people.
c. National Rural Employment Program (NREP) (1980)
The National Rural Employment Program (NREP) was launched in October 1980 by the Government of India. It was a restructured and expanded version of the earlier Food for Work Program (1977). The main aim of NREP was to generate employment opportunities for the rural poor and create durable community assets that would strengthen the rural economy. The aim of this program is to provide wage employment and create durable community assets. Implemented through local bodies. The following are the objectives of this program.
To create additional employment for the rural unemployed and underemployed. To generate durable community assets such as roads, irrigation canals, schools, and tanks. To strengthen rural infrastructure for long-term development. To provide supplementary employment during the lean agricultural season.
d. Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Program (RLEGP) (1983)
The Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Program (RLEGP) was launched by the Government of India on 15th August 1983. It was a 100% centrally sponsored scheme, designed to provide guaranteed employment to the landless rural poor, who were the most vulnerable section of society. This program is to guarantee employment to landless rural households. Later it is merged into Jawahar Rozgar Yojana. The objectives of this program are.
1. Provide gainful employment to at least one member of every landless rural household. To Create durable community assets that would strengthen the rural economy and support future employment. To Raise the standard of living of rural poor families through steady wage employment. To Reduce poverty and unemployment in rural India. Encourage self-reliance and participation of rural communities in development activities.
e. Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) (1989)
Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) was launched on 1 April 1989 by the Government of India.
It was one of the largest rural employment programmes of its time. The main aim was to provide wage employment to the rural unemployed and underemployed, especially the landless poor, by creating community assets. It provide at least 90–100 days of employment to the rural unemployed. Before JRY, rural employment programmes were fragmented. Two major programmes existed:
- National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) – 1980
- Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) – 1983
To avoid duplication and improve efficiency, the government merged these two programs and created JRY in 1989.
- Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) (1999)
- Objective: To promote self-employment through the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs).
- Provided bank credit and subsidy for income-generating activities.
- Later replaced by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
- b. Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) (2001)
- Merged JRY and EAS (Employment Assurance Scheme).
- Provided food grains and wages for rural employment.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) (2005)
Flagship program for employment generation.
Legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment per household per year.
Focus on creating durable rural assets like roads, ponds, and canals.
Emphasizes women participation and transparency through social audits.
b. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) / Aajeevika (2011)
Objective: To reduce rural poverty by promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Encourages formation of SHGs and federations.
Provides skill training, credit linkage, and livelihood support.
c. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) (2015)
Aim: To enhance skill development and improve employability among youth.
Offers short-term training and certification in various trades.
d. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) (2014)
Focus: Skill development and placement-linked training for rural youth aged 15–35 years.
Part of the NRLM framework.
e. Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) (2008)
Objective: To generate employment through micro-enterprises in rural and urban areas.
Implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
f. Stand Up India Scheme (2016)
Provides bank loans (₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore) to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
Encourages self-employment and entrepreneurship.
g. National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) (2013)
Urban counterpart of NRLM.
Focus on skill training and self-employment in urban areas.
4. Other Supporting Programs
Digital India Mission – Encourages IT-enabled employment and entrepreneurship.
Make in India – Promotes industrial growth and job creation.
Startup India and Atmanirbhar Bharat – Supports innovation and self-reliance.
Skill India Mission – Enhances employability through vocational training.
Conclusion
Poverty alleviation and employment generation programs in India have evolved from welfare-based to empowerment-oriented approaches. Modern schemes emphasize skill development, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods rather than mere income support. Continued focus on education, infrastructure, and inclusive growth is essential to achieve the long-term goal of eradicating poverty and unemployment.
also read: Explain the types of unemployment?