Poverty and Inequality — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	This amendment added several new Directive Principles of State Policy, including Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid), Article 43A (participation of workers in management of industries), and Article 48A (protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife). While not directly about poverty measurement, these additions strengthened the state's commitment to socio-economic justice and welfare, indirectly contributing to poverty alleviation by ensuring access to justice and promoting worker rights and environmental protection, which often impact the poor disproportionately.	Reinforced the socialist and welfare state character of the Indian Constitution, providing a broader constitutional mandate for policies aimed at reducing inequality and providing social support, thereby indirectly impacting poverty reduction efforts by addressing systemic disadvantages.