As inequality deepens in countries across the globe, the Indian state of Kerala has emerged as a beacon of hope. By November 2025, Kerala is set to become India’s first state to entirely eradicate extreme poverty.
Kerala is a medium-sized state, and its government is led by the Communists, who are nationally in opposition. So this was achieved with very limited resources. But now other states can copy this. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are larger and richer states (still ruled by opposition parties), and currently have subsidised food programmes beyond the national ration system. TN is experimenting with other subsidies and schemes, and is important enough that the national government cannot ignore it.
Kerala is a medium-sized state, and its government is led by the Communists, who are nationally in opposition. So this was achieved with very limited resources. But now other states can copy this. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are larger and richer states (still ruled by opposition parties), and currently have subsidised food programmes beyond the national ration system. TN is experimenting with other subsidies and schemes, and is important enough that the national government cannot ignore it.