The Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir recently celebrated reaching a new milestone in tackling poverty. Results from Niti Yoga’s National MPI (Multi-dimensional Poverty Index) suggested a notable downsizing of poverty and improving the lives of those being poor in Kashmir.

Kashmir, a state located in India’s Northern mountainous terrain, is mostly a rural and remote region. Education and clean water are often a luxury for residents of Kashmir. Even in cities, unstable job opportunities and livelihoods result in constant struggles. However, over the last seven years, the region has recorded a considerable decline in poverty from 12.56% to 4.8% as per the most recent National MPI statistics. In 2025, the region suddenly saw experts’ focus on the credibility of this poverty decline and the MPI itself.

Being Poor in Kashmir & National MPI Controversy

Experts felt that the MPI did not effectively showcase the reality of life in Kashmir. This concern arose from the fact that nearly 50% of Kashmir’s population relied on the government’s Public Distribution Systems (PDS) for food and financial assistance.

PDS played the primary role of providing sustenance for these members who lacked stable means of livelihood. An August 2025 report from Kashmir’s Department of FCS&CA exhibits that 98.64 lakh beneficiaries receive food grains every month. Thus, social workers and national journalists felt that Kashmir’s citizens still lacked credible means to overcome poverty and mere survival.

The Multidimensional Poverty Index summed multiple life factors while measuring poverty. Additionally, the National MPI, which Niti Yoga has appropriated, includes two more factors, maternal health and financial inclusion. When keeping this in mind, social experts express concerns that Kashmir’s progress in declining poverty might be short-term. It is problematic because in the process of poverty reduction, dependency on PDS systems is peaking. But does it suffice to view this only as dependency?

Why Should One View PDS Optimistically?

While the experts’ concerns definitely are valid, should one view them in a negative light? Some leaders argue that the government is utilizing taxpayers’ money to help those residing below the poverty line. Although the PDS dependency numbers are staggering, giving people access to necessities such as food, housing and sanitation holds long-term benefits. For instance, families with children who previously focused only on survival are now expanding horizons towards education and other aspects of quality of life. Kashmir’s 2022-23 SDG reports showed that education enrollment increased to 88.65% from 71.73% in 2015-16.

Secondly, when looking at the statistics, the uplifting of 7.76% people from below the poverty line is an incredible achievement, according to government representatives. Moreover, the fact that government schemes facilitated this improvement adds to the positive momentum and a hope for those who are poor in Kashmir.

Finally, an important aspect is that a large part of the Jammu and Kashmir population is no longer starving. The lifestyle of the population has undergone major changes from the last five years, especially in regards to the experience of being poor in Kashmir. Dependency on PDS can be reduced by using the right strategies, but lives getting saved and hunger being eradicated are commendable feats.

Reducing PDS Dependency

Kashmir’s local and central leadership has made notable progress in eradicating poverty. The government is now focusing increasingly on employment and entrepreneurship. Representatives are turning their attention towards schemes which help increase the means of livelihood and income stability. 

Some of these schemes include the MUMKIN, a scheme for improving youth livelihood, PM SVANidhi for street vendors and others. Other schemes prioritizing women entrepreneurship and security for the elderly also exist.

The government plans to initiate multi-dimensional strategies, which on the one hand focus on the stability of PDS systems. On the other hand, it can work on improving people’s means of financial income, creating new jobs and educational opportunities. In doing so, the funds allocation can slowly shift more towards such schemes while reducing PDS dependency. Thus, leaders reinforce that it is important to view the PDS systems as factors improving sustainability rather than as a dependency for those being poor in Kashmir. Because schemes and systems like these eradicate the more impossible problems, such as food and shelter accessibility to rural areas and urban poverty, too.

Into the Future

By elevating people from the below poverty line social sector, their approach to life changes. Impoverished people slowly shift from survival modes to sustenance modes such as education, lifestyle, etc. Evidently, Kashmir’s tourism rates and infrastructure progress show considerable improvement. 

Kashmir is now well poised to utilize the funds from tourism for improving its citizens’ quality of life. Central and State Governments expect to see more of the population stepping out of being poor in Kashmir over the coming years. 

– Shafika Fathima

Shafika is based in Chennai, India and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr