Which one of the following indicators is included in the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)? (a) Years of schooling (b) Literacy rate (c) Life expectancy (d) Per capita income

The National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), developed by NITI Aayog, is based on three macro dimensions: Health, Education, and Standard of Living [2]. These dimensions are further divided into 12 specific indicators. Under the Education dimension, the two primary indicators used are 'Years of schooling' and 'School attendance' [3]. Specifically, a household is considered deprived in years of schooling if no family member aged 10 years or older has completed at least six years of schooling [3]. While literacy rate, life expectancy, and per capita income are significant developmental metrics, they are not indicators within the National MPI framework. Life expectancy and per capita income (GNI) are components of the Human Development Index (HDI) rather than the MPI. The National MPI focuses on overlapping deprivations at the household level to capture acute poverty beyond mere income levels [3].

Sources

1. [1] Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Poverty Estimates > p. 33
2. [2] Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Poverty as seen by social scientists > p. 31
3. [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > MULTI-DIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (MPI) > p. 35