BharatNotes National Multidimensional Poverty Index
/ˈnæʃənəl ˌmʌltiˌdaɪˈmenʃənəl ˈpɒvəti ˈɪndeks/India's official Multidimensional Poverty Index, released by NITI Aayog, measuring poverty across 3 dimensions and 12 indicators — (1) Health: nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health; (2) Education: years of schooling, school attendance; (3) Living Standards: cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, housing, assets, bank accounts — with each dimension weighted equally (1/3) and a household considered multidimensionally poor if deprived in at least 1/3 of weighted indicators.
Context & Background
India adopted the Alkire-Foster MPI methodology (OPHI) for its National MPI, aligned with the global UNDP MPI. The baseline report (2021, using NFHS-4 2015-16 data) found 24.82% multidimensionally poor. The 2023 update (using NFHS-5 2019-21 data) showed 11.28% — implying 134.8 million people exited multidimensional poverty between the two surveys. India achieved the SDG target of halving multidimensional poverty ahead of schedule. Bihar, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya remain among the most multidimensionally poor states.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 & GS3 — Prelims: 3 dimensions (health, education, living standards); 12 indicators (as above); threshold = deprived in ≥1/3 weighted indicators; NITI Aayog releases; 2021 baseline (NFHS-4): 24.82%; 2023 update (NFHS-5): 11.28%; 134.8 million lifted out; Bihar, Jharkhand worst performing states; Kerala, Goa best. Mains: MPI vs income poverty — what does each capture; progress story vs structural deprivation; caste-gender-geography intersection; SDG 1 (No Poverty) progress; link to MGNREGA, PM-KISAN, Ujjwala, PM-AWAS outcomes.
