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UPSC Prelims 1999 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Among which of the following sets of social/religious groups is the extent of poverty highest as per Government statistics for the 90s?
- (a) Muslims in Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh
- (b) Tribals in Bihar, MP and Maharashtra
- (c) SCs in Punjab, Western UP, North Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
- (d) Christians in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Assam
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) Tribals in Bihar, MP and Maharashtra
Tribals in Bihar (Jharkhand), MP and Maharashtra had the highest poverty in the 1990s data.
The idea
Poverty comparisons need a stated period, poverty measure and population group. Loss of land, poor access to services and insecure work can deepen deprivation in tribal regions. A historical group-level rate does not describe every household or establish a permanent ranking.
Why the others are wrong
(c) SCs in Punjab had lower poverty than tribals in central India.
Also know
Income or consumption poverty differs from multidimensional poverty, which also considers health, education and living conditions. Forest access, land rights and transport links can matter alongside cash income. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in 1990s tables included present-day Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh respectively.
🔒 Poverty is highest among STs (~45% in 2011–12 by Tendulkar).
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