Poverty and Economic Justice — Security Framework

Security Framework

Distinguish resources, outcomes and access. Income or consumption provides information about command over goods and services, while educational attainment, health and basic amenities describe other aspects of deprivation. Discrimination or inaccessible institutions can obstruct access even where a benefit formally exists. A social-justice analysis connects these dimensions without pretending they are identical measurements.

Monetary poverty depends on a specified threshold, price basis and observation period. International comparisons also require attention to purchasing-power parity. The World Bank's June 2025 revision uses USD 3.00 a day at 2021 PPP for its international extreme-poverty line; this is not a market-exchange-rate conversion or an automatic Indian scheme-eligibility rule.

India's National MPI uses health, education and standard-of-living dimensions. NITI Aayog's 2023 report compares survey periods 2015–16 and 2019–21; its 2024 discussion paper also presents interpolated or extrapolated estimates for other periods. Keep observed survey comparisons distinct from model-based estimates.

Policy tools include services, income support, livelihood opportunities and removal of discriminatory barriers. Each should be assessed through a causal pathway: what deprivation it addresses, how people can access it and what outcome is measured. The Constitution's Directive Principles, including Articles 38, 39, 41 and 46, provide a social-justice framework while retaining their legal distinction from directly enforceable Fundamental Rights.