General Knowledge Cluster99 Verified Questions

Poverty Estimation Methodologies GK Questions & Answers

Poverty estimation in post-independence India commenced under the Planning Commission using consumer expenditure surveys from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The Y.K. Alagh Committee (1979) established minimum nutritional intake thresholds of 2400 calories per capita per day in rural areas and 2100 calories in urban areas. In 1993, the D.T. Lakdawala Committee disaggregated poverty lines across states using Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Industrial Workers (CPI-IW). The Suresh Tendulkar Committee (2009) discarded uniform calorie anchoring, adopting a Mixed Reference Period (MRP) consumption basket encompassing health and education, fixing per capita daily spending thresholds at Rs 27.20 in rural and Rs 33.30 in urban areas (21.9 percent national poverty head-count ratio in 2011-12). The C. Rangarajan Committee (2014) recalculated lines using a Modified Mixed Reference Period (MMRP), proposing Rs 32 rural and Rs 47 urban spending thresholds (29.5 percent poverty rate). NITI Aayog subsequently introduced the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) utilizing the Alkire-Foster methodology across twelve indicators spanning Health, Education, and Standard of Living.

Essential Concepts & Key Facts

High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.

  • The Y.K. Alagh Committee (1979) anchored absolute poverty estimation to daily calorie thresholds of 2400 kcal (rural) and 2100 kcal (urban).
  • The D.T. Lakdawala Committee (1993) introduced state-specific poverty lines updated through CPI-AL for rural and CPI-IW for urban segments.
  • The Suresh Tendulkar Committee (2009) shifted to Mixed Reference Period (MRP) consumption baskets, yielding a national poverty rate of 21.9% for 2011-12.
  • The C. Rangarajan Committee (2014) revised daily spending thresholds upward to Rs 32 (rural) and Rs 47 (urban), estimating 29.5% poverty in 2011-12.
  • NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index adopts the Oxford Alkire-Foster method, evaluating 12 parameters across 3 equal dimensions.
Showing 25 Curated Questions99 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-ECON-00514
hardPlanning & GDP
The official poverty estimation methodology based on calorie intake (2400 kcal in rural and 2100 kcal in urban areas) was originally formulated in 1979 by which Planning Commission Task Force?
Verified Explanation
The Task Force on Projections of Minimum Needs and Effective Consumption Demand (1979) chaired by Dr. Y. K. Alagh established the calorie-consumption poverty threshold.
2ID: GK-ECON-00521
hardPlanning & GDP
The 'Suresh Tendulkar Committee' (2009) revamped India's official poverty estimation methodology by moving away from calorie-consumption norms to which comprehensive consumption basket?
Verified Explanation
The Tendulkar Committee adopted a Mixed Reference Period (MRP) consumption basket encompassing expenditure on basic essentials like education, health, footwear, clothing, and food to establish state-specific Poverty Line Baskets (PLBs).
3ID: GK-ECON-00581
hardPlanning & GDP
Which committee appointed by the Planning Commission in 2012 proposed measuring poverty using a multi-dimensional consumption expenditure basket of ₹32 per day in rural areas and ₹47 per day in urban areas?
Verified Explanation
The Expert Group headed by Dr. C. Rangarajan submitted its report in June 2014, recommending poverty threshold expenditure of ₹972/month in rural areas (₹32/day) and ₹1,407/month in urban areas (₹47/day).
4ID: GK-ECON-00632
hardPlanning & GDP
The Suresh Tendulkar Committee (2009) recommended estimating India's official poverty line based on which methodological standard across rural and urban sectors?
Verified Explanation
The Tendulkar Committee shifted poverty estimation from pure calorie consumption to actual Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) on food, clothing, education, and health using NSSO 61st round data.
5ID: GK-PUBS-00550
easyFreedom Struggle Journals, Press & Publications
'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), which expounded the famous economic 'Drain of Wealth' theory, was authored by which nationalist leader?
Verified Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', authored 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' in 1901, methodically calculating the colonial drain of Indian wealth to Britain.
6ID: GK-INST-00445
easyNITI Aayog, Planning History & Inter-State Council
Which international flagship development agenda is aligned with NITI Aayog's state monitoring through the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)?
Verified Explanation
NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) serves as India's official tool to track progress towards SDG Target 1.2, which aims to reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
7ID: GK-INST-00517
hardNITI Aayog, Planning History & Inter-State Council
In India's National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) published by NITI Aayog, which methodology developed by Oxford University is used to measure overlapping deprivations across Health, Education, and Standard of Living?
Verified Explanation
NITI Aayog's National MPI uses the internationally acclaimed Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology (developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative - OPHI) to compute multidimensional poverty across 12 indicators aligned with SDG 1.2.
8ID: GK-ECON-00200
hardPlanning & GDP
The Rangarajan Committee Report (2014) on the estimation of poverty in India determined the monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) poverty line at what level for rural and urban areas respectively?
Verified Explanation
The Expert Group chaired by Dr. C. Rangarajan pegged the monthly poverty line at Rs 972 (Rs 32/day) in rural areas and Rs 1,407 (Rs 47/day) in urban areas at 2011–12 prices.
9ID: GK-ECON-00348
hardPlanning & GDP
Who developed the 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' thesis that formulated the famous 'Drain of Wealth' theory?
Verified Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji demonstrated in his 1901 work 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' that British colonial rule was draining India's wealth and capital to Britain without adequate return.
10ID: GK-ECON-00394
hardPlanning & GDP
The Suresh Tendulkar Committee (2009) redefined India's official poverty line measurement based on which methodology?
Verified Explanation
The Tendulkar Committee shifted poverty estimation away from pure calorie counting to uniform poverty lines based on Mixed Reference Period (MRP) Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure covering food, education, and health.
11ID: GK-ECON-00408
hardPlanning & GDP
The C. Rangarajan Committee on Poverty Measurement (2014) estimated the monthly per capita poverty line expenditure at:
Verified Explanation
The Rangarajan Panel computed the poverty line as a monthly per capita consumption expenditure of Rs 972 in rural areas and Rs 1,407 in urban areas (approx Rs 32/day rural and Rs 47/day urban).
12ID: GK-ECON-00457
hardPlanning & GDP
Which expert group appointed by the Planning Commission in 2012 used a poverty line based on per capita monthly consumption expenditure of Rs 972 in rural areas and Rs 1,407 in urban areas?
Verified Explanation
The Expert Group to Review the Methodology for Measurement of Poverty, chaired by Dr. C. Rangarajan (2014), pegged the poverty threshold at monthly per capita expenditure of Rs 972 (rural) and Rs 1,407 (urban).
13ID: GK-ECON-00760
easyEconomic Planning, Growth & GDP
The nutritional benchmark of 2,400 calories per person per day in rural areas and 2,100 calories in urban areas for defining India's poverty line was established by which expert body?
Verified Explanation
The Planning Commission Task Force on Projections of Minimum Needs and Effective Consumption Demand, chaired by Dr. Y. K. Alagh in 1979, established official nutritional benchmarks for India. It set minimum daily intake requirements at 2,400 kcal per person in rural areas and 2,100 kcal in urban areas. Subsequent poverty estimation methodologies by D.T. Lakdawala and others used these calorie benchmarks tied to consumption baskets.
14ID: GK-ECON-00761
mediumEconomic Planning, Growth & GDP
The Expert Group on Poverty Estimation chaired by Dr. C. Rangarajan (2014) determined the monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) poverty thresholds as which values?
Verified Explanation
The C. Rangarajan Expert Group submitted its report in June 2014, recommending poverty lines based on basic nutritional and non-food essential requirements. It pegged the daily per capita expenditure threshold at ₹32 in rural areas (₹972 per month) and ₹47 in urban areas (₹1,407 per month). Under this methodology, 29.5% of India's population was estimated to be living below the poverty line in 2011–12.
15ID: GK-ECON-00861
mediumEconomic Planning, Growth & GDP
In development economics, which theorist formulated the 'Vicious Circle of Poverty' demonstrating that low income leads to low savings and low capital formation?
Verified Explanation
Ragnar Nurkse established the Vicious Circle of Poverty theory in his 1953 treatise 'Problems of Capital Formation in Underdeveloped Countries'. He argued that developing countries face self-reinforcing traps on both the supply side (low income → low savings → low investment → low productivity → low income) and demand side, necessitating balanced capital formation.
16ID: GK-ECON-00955
easyEconomic Planning, Growth & GDP
Which institution publishes the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for India based on the Alkire-Foster methodology?
Verified Explanation
NITI Aayog publishes the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The index utilizes the globally recognized Alkire-Foster methodology across three equal dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living. It tracks 12 specific indicators including nutrition, child mortality, sanitation, and bank accounts.
17ID: GK-INST-00462
hardNITI Aayog, Planning History & Inter-State Council
Under the composite National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) methodology developed by NITI Aayog based on the Alkire-Foster method, how many indicators across 3 dimensions are evaluated?
Verified Explanation
NITI Aayog's National MPI uses 12 indicators aligned with the global MPI (adding maternal health and bank accounts) across three equally weighted dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living.
18ID: GK-ECON-00045
hardEconomic Planning, Growth & GDP
Which committee formulated the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) methodology adopted by NITI Aayog for Indian states?
Verified Explanation
NITI Aayog's National MPI uses 12 indicators across health, education, and standard of living based on Alkire-Foster.
19ID: GK-ECON-00380
mediumPlanning & GDP
The 'Garibi Hatao' (Eradicate Poverty) slogan was prominently introduced during the formulation of which Five-Year Plan?
Verified Explanation
The slogan 'Garibi Hatao' was launched by Indira Gandhi during the 1971 elections and incorporated as a core objective of the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979).
20ID: GK-AGRI-00053
mediumRural Credit, NABARD & Agro-Schemes
Which flagship poverty eradication and women empowerment mission in Kerala, established in 1998, functions through an extensive network of women Self-Help Groups?
Verified Explanation
Kudumbashree is the poverty eradication and women empowerment programme implemented by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala since 1998.
21ID: GK-PUBS-00010
easyFreedom Struggle Journals, Press & Publications
Which nationalist leader authored 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), formulating the famous 'Drain of Wealth' theory?
Verified Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji (the 'Grand Old Man of India') authored 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), calculating the economic drain of Indian revenues to Britain.
22ID: GK-PUBS-00368
easyFreedom Struggle Journals, Press & Publications
Which nationalist leader authored the seminal 1901 book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India', introducing the 'Drain of Wealth' theory?
Verified Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', authored 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901), mathematically demonstrating the systematic economic drain of Indian wealth to Britain.
23ID: GK-CURR-00342
hardInternational Summits & Global Meets
Under Brazil's G20 presidency in 2024, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spearheaded which flagship global initiative to mobilize international financing and expertise to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030?
Verified Explanation
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched by the Brazilian G20 Presidency at the Rio de Janeiro Summit in November 2024 to support targeted cash transfers and school meals.
24ID: GK-CURR-00677
hardInternational Summits & Conferences
What is the primary operational mechanism of the 'Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty', launched by Brazil at the Rio de Janeiro G20 Leaders' Summit in November 2024?
Verified Explanation
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched as the flagship initiative of Brazil's 2024 G20 Presidency on 18 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro. It operates as a voluntary, country-owned mechanism that facilitates financial and knowledge partnerships between developing countries, multilateral development banks, and philanthropic entities to implement proven interventions like conditional cash transfers and national school feeding programs. India and over 80 countries joined as founding members.
25ID: GK-HLTH-00496
easyAyushman Bharat & National Health Policies
What flagship national initiative implemented under the National Health Mission provides free hemodialysis sessions to Below Poverty Line (BPL) kidney disease patients at district hospitals through public-private partnership?
Verified Explanation
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) was launched in 2016 under the National Health Mission (NHM) to provide accessible and free hemodialysis services to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) at district hospital units. Dialysis machines and services are operated on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, and peritoneal dialysis guidelines were subsequently added to facilitate home dialysis.

Related Knowledge Topics to Discover

Indian Polity & Constitution
Indian Constitution & Fundamental Rights

Comprehensive Indian Constitution and Fundamental Rights GK questions. Study Articles 12 to 35, Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Writ jurisdictions (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus), and landmark Supreme Court rulings.

Explore Topic
Indian Polity & Constitution
Supreme Court & Indian Judicial System

Explore Supreme Court of India GK questions and answers. Learn Articles 124 to 147, original and appellate jurisdictions, advisory powers (Article 143), writ powers (Article 32), and landmark constitutional rulings.

Explore Topic
Indian Economy
National Income Accounting: GDP, GNP, NNP & GVA

Master National Income Accounting GK questions and answers. Study Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP), Net National Product (NNP), Gross Value Added (GVA), factor cost vs market price, and CSO/NSO methodology.

Explore Topic

Looking for more specific GK questions?

Search across all 99 Poverty Estimation Methodologies: Tendulkar, Rangarajan & NITI Aayog MPI questions or browse 44,700+ verified questions across 65 domains.

Open Interactive Search