Explain the methods of measuring poverty in India.
In short
Poverty in India is measured through consumption-based poverty lines drawn by expert committees using NSSO household surveys, supplemented by NITI Aayog's Multidimensional Poverty Index covering health, education and living standards. The Lakdawala (1993), Tendulkar (2009) and Rangarajan (2014) committees successively moved the poverty line beyond calorie norms.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 278 words
Expert Committees and Methodologies
Lakdawala (1993), Tendulkar (2009), and Rangarajan (2014) committees refined poverty lines by incorporating regional price variations, nutritional outcomes, and non-food essentials to better reflect living costs.
Multidimensional Poverty2 Index Adoption
NITI Aayog’s MPI includes health, education, and living standards, reflecting a holistic poverty view beyond income or consumption alone.
Data and Regional Disparities
NSSO surveys face comparability issues due to differing recall periods and price deflators; urban poverty in Andhra Pradesh sometimes exceeds rural, revealing gaps in measurement and policy reach.
Welfare Scheme Impact and Lapses
Schemes like MGNREGA and PM Ujjwala Yojana reduce poverty nationally, but Andhra Pradesh faces welfare fund diversion and scheme3 lapses as highlighted by CAG audits, limiting effectiveness.
Composite Indices and State Customization
Combining consumption data with multidimensional indicators and tailoring poverty lines to states like Andhra Pradesh improves accuracy and policy responsiveness.
Technology and Data Integration
Leveraging digital public infrastructure and data convergence can enhance real-time poverty monitoring and adaptive interventions.
New Expert Committee and Survey Improvements
Constitute a committee to revise poverty lines reflecting current consumption patterns, inflation, and regional disparities; standardize NSSO survey recall periods and sampling for better comparability.
Strengthen Welfare Implementation
Address administrative lapses and fund diversion issues in Andhra Pradesh to maximize poverty alleviation program impact.
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