2025, Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part E

Climate change poses a growing threat to livelihood security in rural India, where livelihoods are predominantly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, livestock, and natural resources. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events have intensified economic uncertainty and social vulnerability among rural households. This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change on livelihood security in rural India and to analyse the nature of vulnerability and adaptation responses within existing socio-economic and institutional frameworks. Adopting a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical research design, the study relies on secondary sources, including academic literature, government reports, policy documents, and empirical case-based studies. The analysis indicates that climate change adversely affects income stability, employment opportunities, food and nutritional security, and accelerates distress migration, particularly among small and marginal farmers, women, and marginalized communities. The study contributes to the existing literature by linking climate change impacts to debates on livelihood security and governance. It emphasizes the need for inclusive, climate-resilient rural development strategies in India.