The urban poor in India are described as: 1. The urban poor are distinct and have no connection to the rural poor. 2. They include push-cart vendors, street cobblers, and rag pickers. 3. They generally lack assets and live in poor conditions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 and 3 only. Explanation Poverty in India is generally classified into rural and urban poverty based on the location and nature of employment. While they are distinct in terms of living environment, they are structurally linked through migration and the economy. Urban poverty is often characterized by the nature of employment in the informal sector and the quality of living conditions. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The urban poor are not entirely distinct from the rural poor. In many cases, the urban poor are largely the overflow of the rural poor who migrate to urban areas in search of alternative employment and livelihood. They often maintain strong social and economic ties with their rural origins. - Statement 2 is Correct. The urban poor typically lack the skills or education required for formal sector employment. Consequently, they engage in low-income, informal activities such as push-cart vending, street cobbling, rag picking, construction work, and domestic help to sustain their livelihoods. - Statement 3 is Correct. A defining characteristic of poverty is the lack of assets (such as land or capital) and deprivation in living standards. The urban poor generally possess few physical assets and often reside in slums or makeshift structures with limited access to basic amenities like sanitation and clean water. Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Urban poverty is closely linked to rural migration and is characterized by employment in the unorganized sector, lack of assets, and poor living conditions, rather than being an isolated phenomenon.

NCERT Class 11 Economics — Chapter 4: Poverty

mcqeasy

The urban poor in India are described as:

The urban poor are distinct and have no connection to the rural poor.
They include push-cart vendors, street cobblers, and rag pickers.
They generally lack assets and live in poor conditions.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1, 2 and 3
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D2 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Poverty in India is generally classified into rural and urban poverty based on the location and nature of employment. While they are distinct in terms of living environment, they are structurally linked through migration and the economy. Urban poverty is often characterized by the nature of employment in the informal sector and the quality of living conditions.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The urban poor are not entirely distinct from the rural poor. In many cases, the urban poor are largely the overflow of the rural poor who migrate to urban areas in search of alternative employment and livelihood. They often maintain strong social and economic ties with their rural origins.
Statement 2 is Correct. The urban poor typically lack the skills or education required for formal sector employment. Consequently, they engage in low-income, informal activities such as push-cart vending, street cobbling, rag picking, construction work, and domestic help to sustain their livelihoods.
Statement 3 is Correct. A defining characteristic of poverty is the lack of assets (such as land or capital) and deprivation in living standards. The urban poor generally possess few physical assets and often reside in slums or makeshift structures with limited access to basic amenities like sanitation and clean water.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: Urban poverty is closely linked to rural migration and is characterized by employment in the unorganized sector, lack of assets, and poor living conditions, rather than being an isolated phenomenon.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: Poverty

The 'Growth-oriented approach' to poverty reduction was based on which of the following expectations?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the categorization of poverty: 1. The 'Chronic Poor' category includes only those who are never poor. 2. The 'Churning Poor' are those who regularly move in and out of poverty. 3. The 'Transient Poor' category includes both the churning poor and the occasionally poor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the impact of British rule on the Indian economy: 1. The British policies involved lowering rural taxes to support small farmers. 2. Under British rule, India was transformed from an exporter of manufactured cloth to an exporter of raw cotton. 3. The main goal of the British Raj was to develop India into a self-sufficient industrial power. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following are cited as general, economy-wide problems causing poverty in India? 1. Low capital formation 2. Lack of infrastructure 3. Lack of demand 4. Pressure of population Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

Consider the following statements regarding land distribution and agriculture in India: 1. Since independence, the government has attempted to redistribute land from those with large amounts to those who have none. 2. The land redistribution move was fully successful in making all agricultural workers productive. 3. Small farmers often possess land that is less fertile and dependent on rains. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

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Correct Option

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The urban poor are not entirely distinct from the rural poor. In many cases, the urban poor are largely the overflow of the rural poor who migrate to urban areas in search of alternative employment and livelihood. They often maintain strong social and economic ties with their rural origins.
Statement 2 is Correct. The urban poor typically lack the skills or education required for formal sector employment. Consequently, they engage in low-income, informal activities such as push-cart vending, street cobbling, rag picking, construction work, and domestic help to sustain their livelihoods.
Statement 3 is Correct. A defining characteristic of poverty is the lack of assets (such as land or capital) and deprivation in living standards. The urban poor generally possess few physical assets and often reside in slums or makeshift structures with limited access to basic amenities like sanitation and clean water.