As per Planning Commission of India, in 2004–05, the percentage of total population of India below poverty line (Lakadawala Poverty Estimates combined) was:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. 27.5% .
As per the Planning Commission of India using the Lakadawala Poverty Estimates, the percentage of the total population of India below the poverty line in 2004–05 was approximately 27.5%. This estimate combined both rural and urban populations. Specifically, around 28.3% of the rural population and 25.7% of the urban population were considered below the poverty line. The Lakadawala methodology defines poverty based on calorie intake and minimum consumption needs. It does not adjust for health, education, or housing, which later methodologies like Tendulkar and Rangarajan considered. These figures served as the official poverty estimates before the Tendulkar Committee update in 2009.