ABSTRACT
Poverty remains a persistent challenge, with some communities trapped in extreme deprivation. This chapter explores efforts to uplift Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India, focusing on Jharkhand's innovative approaches. It sheds light on the unique challenges faced by the ultra-poor, emphasising the need for tailored, community-driven strategies to foster sustainable livelihoods and human development. The chapter offers insights for designing effective programmes to alleviate ultra-poverty, highlighting the importance of contextual understanding and participatory methods. Focusing on Jharkhand, the study analyses various initiatives implemented by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) for the PVTG communities, mostly under the umbrella of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). The multi-pronged approach combined community mobilisation and individual handholding, food security, financial inclusion, livelihood development, education, and convergence across government schemes. Findings indicate significant impacts, with increased incomes, improved food security, educational gains, and overall betterment of PVTG households, suggesting this model's potential for replication and scalability in similar socio-economic contexts.
