Abstract
This article critically assesses India’s recent claims of rapid poverty reduction by examining the methodological, political, and data-related foundations of the Niti Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). It scrutinises key methodological choices such as indicator selection, weighting structures, and the dependence on NFHS (National Family Health Survey) data which only partially reflect the socioeconomic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on debates surrounding the Alkire–Foster framework, the essay highlights how modifications to the MPI such as the inclusion of widely achieved indicators and the exclusion of consumption expenditure may underestimate deprivation and produce overly optimistic trends. It argues that MPI should complement, not replace, traditional consumption-based measures, especially in an economy dominated by informality. The article concludes by advocating for stronger data systems, renewed household surveys, and expanded poverty metrics that incorporate environmental, demographic, and social vulnerabilities to capture the evolving realities of deprivation in India.
Recommended Citation
Mondal, Soumyabrata and Mishra, Anand Prasad
(2025)
"Rethinking Poverty Indices: Unveiling the Unseen Realities of India,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 66:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol66/iss2/2