Does anti-poverty intervention impact school absenteeism of children? Evidence from India

School absenteeism in India is associated with adverse socio-economic conditions for children belonging to vulnerable groups. Matching-based analysis of the current study shows that the world's most extensive poverty alleviation program, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), helps reduce school absenteeism. In this regard, poor children from the families participating in the program are less likely to be absent from school. In addition, the program has social implications, as scheduled caste and tribe children at the lowest level of the social hierarchy are significantly less likely to miss school. Furthermore, as the gendered impact, girls, including those belonging to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families, are less likely to be absent from schools. Considering that social, economic, and gender-related vulnerabilities are closely related in India, the program helps overcome multidimensional barriers preventing children from attending schools.