According to the National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) constructed by the NITI Aayog, a household is considered deprived if 1. a single member of the household is identified as under-nourished 2. the body mass index of a woman member, between 15 years and 49 years of age, is below 18·5 kg/m² Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

According to the National Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) methodology developed by NITI Aayog, the nutrition indicator is a critical component of the health dimension. A household is considered deprived in nutrition if any single member—specifically a child (0-59 months), a woman (15-49 years), or a man (15-54 years)—is identified as undernourished [1]. This aligns with the principle that if any household member for whom data exists is undernourished, the entire household is considered deprived in that indicator. Specifically, for adults, malnourishment is defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5 kg/m² [2]. Therefore, both statements are correct: a single undernourished member triggers household deprivation, and the specific BMI threshold of 18.5 kg/m² for women aged 15-49 is a standard metric used in the national index to identify such deprivation [1].

Sources

1. [1] Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Poverty Estimates > p. 33
2. [2] https://hdr.undp.org/mpi-2025-faqs