Yogi targets poverty-free UP by 2027

Virendra Singh Rawat

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has set the target of making the state poverty-free by 2027.

In 10 months alone, the state government has identified 1.332 million of UP’s poorest families under the Zero Poverty Campaign.

Of these, more than 372,000 families are already receiving multi-dimensional benefits, underscoring the Yogi government’s commitment to uplifting the underprivileged.

Yogi first announced the campaign in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2024, and officially launched it on October 2, 2024.

The mission aims to ensure that no family is left deprived of basic needs or social security, with a target to identify at least 25 ultra-poor families in every Gram Panchayat.

Each family is being linked to housing, employment, healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities to secure long-term transformation under the drive.

As of August 2025, Azamgarh leads with 42,082 families identified, followed by Jaunpur (39,374), Sitapur (36,571), Hardoi (30,050), and Prayagraj (28,935).

Special drives with panchayats and voluntary organisations are accelerating outreach in these districts.

Yogi has emphasised that the campaign goes beyond financial aid, and seeks to eliminate poverty entirely by 2027.

Identified families are being integrated with flagship schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and MGNREGA, alongside support for education and women’s empowerment through self-help groups.

With data-driven tracking, close monitoring and grassroots transparency, the Zero Poverty Campaign is fast emerging as a transformative mission to make UP poverty-free, with active participation from society at large, an official said.