Poverty is the inability to fulfil the minimum requirements of life. The minimum requirements include food, clothing housing, education and health facilities. It is a challenge in India as well as entire world. Approximately are fifth of the world’s poor live in India alone and are unable to meet their basic needs. There are three types of poverty- absolute poverty, relative poverty and subjective poverty. The percentage of population below poverty line has reduced from 48% in 1979-80 to 21.9% in 2011-12. The present paper highlight the causes of poverty, trends of poverty in India from1960-61 to 2011-12, measures for removal of poverty in India and poverty alleviation programme adopted government.

KEYWORDS: Poverty, India, Poverty Alleviation Programme, GDP, Development.