Social protection measures are policy instruments that are widely used across a broad range of developing countries in pursuit of many different development objectives. In many cases social protection measures such as food or cash transfers were first introduced to ensure minimum levels of food security for vulnerable households.

This review identifies and synthesizes the available evidence to assess the impact of two social protection interventions on the poor; employment guarantee schemes (EGSs) and cash transfers (CTs).

This report examines the progress that MGNREGA has made in the rapid expansion of employment provision through its demand-driven rights-based approach. It highlights experiences from states that have successfully implemented the Act and discusses the evidence on the impacts on poverty and social inclusion in India.