‘Graduation Approach’ now in partnership with state governments
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NEW DELHI, September 24, 2025: In a significant step to strengthen the Government of India’s efforts on inclusive livelihoods and poverty alleviation Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia and The/Nudge Institute formally announced the implementation of the “Graduation Approach” across various states at the India Scale-Up Summit 2025. The event was attended by Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development and S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The initiative will primarily focus on Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Jharkhand with Madhya Pradesh also preparing to adopt the model.
India has made remarkable progress in poverty reduction over the past decade. However, according to NITI Aayog’s 2023 Multidimensional Poverty Index report, approximately 195 million people still live in multidimensional poverty. Against this backdrop, the active participation of state governments makes the “Graduation Approach” a robust and scalable solution.
Under this model, families receive a comprehensive two-year support package, including productive assets (such as livestock or small businesses), technical training, consumption support, savings facilities, regular home visits and access to healthcare services. The program will be implemented through State Rural Livelihood Missions and tailored to local conditions.
J-PAL South Asia and The/Nudge Institute are actively involved in adapting the program to state-level realities, building capacity, and providing evidence-based policy support. Notably, J-PAL South Asia partnered with the Ministry of Rural Development in 2024 under the “Inclusive Livelihoods” initiative, supported by the Alliance for Scaling Policy Impact through Research and Evidence (ASPIRE), a joint initiative by J-PAL South Asia and the Veddis Foundation to drive impactful change on a large scale.
At the summit, J-PAL South Asia Executive Director Shobhini Mukherjee stated, “With the right support, even the poorest families can take charge of their lives, and this model will chart a new course for poverty alleviation,” while John Paul, Head of Livelihoods Programs at The/Nudge Institute, added, “Scaling this model across India is our priority, and it will lay the foundation for deep and lasting change in rural India.”
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