Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s Chief Minister, declared the state “extreme poverty free” on November 1, 2025. However, this declaration is based on the results of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP), which used group-up surveys, community involvement, and targeted interventions to uplift families. It is a landmark achievement for Kerala.
Program Details
1. Program Launch
The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme was launched in 2021.
2. Survey
It started with a comprehensive survey to identify families in need, which was conducted by Kudumbashree and local officials.
3. Targeted Approach
A micro-plan was created to address specific needs related to food, housing, healthcare and livelihoods for each identified family.
4. Integrated Services
The programme involved integrating various government assistance schemes and creating special ones to provide support.
5. Funding
The state government allocated significant funding to the project over several years.
6. Results
The programme successfully brought 59, 277 families out of extreme poverty in Kerala.
Expert Reaction and Future Research
1. Decentralized Governance
The success is largely attributed to a strong, decentralized local governance structure, where local self-government bodies played a leading role in the planning and implementation of the program at the grassroots level.
2. Model for Other States
Kerala’s approach demonstrates that sustainable poverty reduction requires more than just financial aid; it requires an integrated and coordinated system that provides access to essential services and livelihood opportunities, offering a valuable blueprint for other states in India and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Ongoing Vigilance
The state government has emphasized the need for continuous monitoring to ensure that no family falls back into poverty and to enhance skill development and employment linkages for marginalized communities.
4. Controversy
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition rejected the claim, calling it “pure fraud”, and boycotted the assembly session where the declaration was made, raising concern about the claim, which highlights the need for independent verification and future research.
