Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to Make Official Declaration on November 1, 2025
Thiruvananthapuram , in a landmark achievement, Kerala is set to become the first State in India to be officially declared free from extreme poverty. The announcement will be made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a special function to be held at the Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on November 1, 2025, coinciding with Kerala Formation Day.
The event will witness the presence of distinguished guests including renowned actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Kamal Haasan, who will join the celebration as special invitees. All State Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition will also be in attendance, underscoring the inclusive and historic nature of this milestone.
Addressing a press conference, Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh said that the declaration marks the culmination of an extensive, people-focused initiative that began in 2021 as one of the first Cabinet decisions of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government.
According to a NITI Aayog study (2021), Kerala had the lowest poverty rate in the country, with only 0.7% of its population living in poverty. “The Government of Kerala took proactive steps to reach out to this small section of the population, address their most critical needs, and ensure social and economic inclusion. With this achievement, Kerala becomes the first State in India to be declared free from extreme poverty,” said Minister Rajesh.
Under the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme, 64,006 families were identified across the State through detailed ground-level surveys, based on factors such as food, health, livelihood, and shelter. Many beneficiaries were from marginalised sections who did not possess basic identity documents or access to welfare schemes.
Key outcomes of the initiative include:
21,263 individuals provided with essential identification documents.
3,913 families given new homes.
1,338 families allotted land.
5,651 families assisted with house repairs worth up to ₹2 lakh each.
The Minister highlighted that individual micro-plans were prepared for every family, addressing both immediate and long-term needs to ensure sustainable upliftment.
“Kerala’s model demonstrates that eradicating extreme poverty is possible through coordinated governance, community participation, and targeted intervention,” Mr. Rajesh added.
The official declaration ceremony will celebrate the State’s enduring commitment to inclusive development, social justice, and human dignity—values that continue to define Kerala’s governance model.
