In the conventional sense, poverty means inability to meet:

Basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Lack of sufficient income to meet basic needs.

Multi-dimensional poverty includes deprivation in:

Material and non-material dimensions. It covers health, education, sanitation and also social discrimination.

Which economist said poverty is a lack of capability?

Amartya Sen. Prof. Amartya Sen defined poverty through capabilities.

'Garibi Hatao' is an example of:

An anti-poverty programme. It was a major anti-poverty slogan and programme.

Maharashtra State Board · HSC Commerce · Class 11 (Std XI)

Class 11 Economics Chapter 8: Poverty in India

Short notes, key concepts, quick revision and practice MCQs with answers

Poverty is a socio-economic phenomenon that leads to social exclusion. The chapter explains its meaning in the conventional and multi-dimensional sense and its history in India.

Key concepts: Poverty in India

Conventional meaning: Inability to fulfil basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter due to lack of income.
Multi-dimensional poverty: Deprivation in material dimensions (food, health, education, electricity, drinking water, sanitation) and non-material ones (social discrimination).
Amartya Sen's view: Poverty is not just lack of money; it is lack of capability to realise one's full potential. He received the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics.
Causes in the British period: Economic drain, decline of handicrafts and cottage industries, oppressive policies and famines.
Policy measures: Economic planning, economic reforms and anti-poverty programmes such as 'Garibi Hatao'.

Quick revision: important points

Amartya Sen wrote 'Poverty and Famines' (1981) and holds the Bharat Ratna.
Elimination of poverty has been a top priority since Independence.
Poverty leads to social exclusion.

Practice MCQs with answers

In the conventional sense, poverty means inability to meet:
1. Luxury needs
2. Basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter
3. Tax obligations
4. Education fees only
Show answer
Answer: B. Basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter
Lack of sufficient income to meet basic needs.
Multi-dimensional poverty includes deprivation in:
1. Only income
2. Material and non-material dimensions
3. Only food
4. Only housing
Show answer
Answer: B. Material and non-material dimensions
It covers health, education, sanitation and also social discrimination.
Which economist said poverty is a lack of capability?
1. Amartya Sen
2. Adam Smith
3. Keynes
4. Ricardo
Show answer
Answer: A. Amartya Sen
Prof. Amartya Sen defined poverty through capabilities.
Amartya Sen received the Nobel Prize in Economics in:
1. 1976
2. 1998
3. 2009
4. 2019
Show answer
Answer: B. 1998
He was awarded in 1998.
'Garibi Hatao' is an example of:
1. An anti-poverty programme
2. A tax
3. A trade agreement
4. A census
Show answer
Answer: A. An anti-poverty programme
It was a major anti-poverty slogan and programme.

All Class 11 Economics chapters

Class 11 Economics notes: all chapters