Question

According to the NITI Aayog’s “National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023”, which of the following is/are CORRECT?

• A. The rural areas in India have experienced fastest decline in percentage of multidimensional poverty from 35.59 percent in 2015-16 to 21.28 percent in 2019-21
• B. The incidence of poverty in urban areas in India increased from 5.27 percent in 2015-16 to 8.65 percent in 2019-21
• C. A decline in India’s Multidimensional Poverty Index in 2019-21 is due to improvement in all the 12 indicators
• D. At the national level, there is a decline in the intensity of poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C, D

Analysis of NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023 

Option (A): Rural Poverty Decline

Incorrect. The statement claims that rural multidimensional poverty declined from 35.59% in 2015-16 to 21.28% in 2019-21. However, according to the report, the correct figures are:

\[\text{Rural Poverty Rate: } 32.59\% \text{ (2015-16) } \to 19.28\% \text{ (2019-21)}\]

Since the given figures do not align, this statement is incorrect.

Option (B): Urban Poverty Trend

Incorrect. The statement suggests that urban poverty increased from 5.27% in 2015-16 to 8.65% in 2019-21, but the report states the opposite:

\[ \text{Urban Poverty Rate: } 8.65\% \text{ (2015-16) } \to 5.27\% \text{ (2019-21)} \]

Since urban poverty actually declined, this statement is incorrect.

Option (C): Improvement Across 12 MPI Indicators

Correct. The report confirms that India’s MPI reduction is due to improvements in all 12 indicators, including health, education, and standard of living.

Option (D): Decline in Intensity of Poverty

Correct. The intensity of poverty, measuring the average deprivation among the poor, has declined between 2015-16 and 2019-21, as per the report.

Final Answer:

The correct statements are:

• (C) Improvement in all 12 MPI indicators.
• (D) Decline in the intensity of poverty at the national level.