Rural areas in India are defined as areas with populations less than 15,000 where panchayats make decisions. 68% of India's population lives in rural areas where agriculture is the main occupation and source of livelihood. Rural areas have lower literacy rates, especially for women, and higher rates of poverty than urban areas due to lack of educational opportunities and exploitation. Rural women depend on family and engage in household and farm work while adjusting to family needs.

1. TOPIC : RURAL
Characteristics
68% Of India's Population Is Rural

2. Introduction
• Rural areas are also known as 'countryside' or a 'village' in India. It
has a very low density of population.
• In rural areas, agriculture is the chief source of livelihood along with
fishing, cottage industries, pottery etc.
• The quest to discover the real rural India still continues in great
earnest.
• Here is an definition: According to the Planning Commission, a town
with a maximum population of 15,000 is considered rural in nature. In
these areas the panchayat takes all the decisions.

3. SUB TOPICS
• Status Of Women
• Literacy
• Poverty
• Occupation

4. Status Of Women
• The rural women are very much dependent on their men folk.
• The women require the support of institutions like marriage and family.
• The rural women mostly engage in indoor activities and they work in
fields as well.
• They are very much attached to their family members.
• Women adjust themselves to the family conditions,
and make sacrifices in the interest of the family.

5. Literacy
• Literacy Rate for Women: 54%
• Literacy Rate for Men: 76%
(census 2011)
• The literacy level of rural people is low as compared to
urban population.
• In 2011 ,the overall literacy rate in India was about 74%.
But the rural literacy rate in many states was less than
50%.
• The low literacy rate is due to lack of educational
facilities
in village,and poverty among the rural masses.
.

6. Poverty
• As per Suresh Tendulkar's Committee Report, 2009, about 37.2% of
India's population lives below poverty line.
• In rural areas, percent of people living below poverty line is
• 41%.The rural poverty is very high, especially, in state of Orissa, Bihar
and Madhya Pradesh.

7. Poverty
The main cause of rural poverty are :
High growth of population, especially among the poor.
Social exploitation by the landlords of the farm .
Malpractices by money lenders.
Poor implementation of anti-poverty measures.

8. Occupation
• The rural people are mostly engaged in agriculture. About 80 to
90% of village people are directly or indirectly connected with
agricultural and other related areas.
• Agricultural is still the major source of income in the northern
and eastern Indian villages.
• Therefore, the prosperity of rural areas is directly connected
with agricultural.

10. Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_area
Manan Prakashan
Govt. Text Book
Wikipedia