Measuring Poverty in India: Methods and Metrics

Understanding the scale and nature of poverty requires reliable, consistent measurement. This course teaches you how official policy bodies define, quantify, and track economic deprivation in India. By the end of this course, you will understand the historical evolution of poverty lines, the current statistical metrics used, and how these figures directly inform national policy decisions and welfare program targeting. What you'll learn: * Understand the historical evolution of poverty lines and the core debates surrounding income versus consumption metrics. * Analyze the role of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and inflation adjustments in creating comparable poverty estimates over time. * Master the structure and indicators of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) as the modern standard for non-monetary deprivation. * Practice interpreting data derived from major national surveys, such as the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) rounds. * Evaluate how current poverty statistics directly inform the design and targeting of government welfare and development programs. This course begins with key terminology and the philosophical debate around defining poverty. It then progresses through core statistical methods and culminates in an analysis of current multidimensional metrics and their policy implications. This course is designed for beginners interested in Indian economics, development studies, and public policy, requiring no prior statistical background. Start reading today and gain a deeper understanding of India's social and economic landscape.