SSC CGL 2023 PYQ — Question 32

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Rs. 816.

This figure was determined by the Planning Commission of India, which used the Tendulkar Committee methodology to calculate the poverty line.

Explanation:

• Tendulkar Committee Methodology: Constituted in 2005, the Tendulkar Committee advanced an updated paradigm for quantifying poverty in India. This methodology shifted the focus from calorie intake to consumption expenditure, which includes spending on food, education, healthcare, and other essential services. The poverty line is defined as the minimum income required to meet these basic needs.
• Rural Poverty Line: For rural areas, the poverty line was set at Rs. 816 per capita per month, which was intended to represent the cost of a basic standard of living, including both food and non-food items. This figure was based on the average consumption patterns and prices prevailing in rural India during that period.
• Purpose of the Poverty Line: The poverty line is used to estimate the proportion of the population living below this threshold, known as the poverty ratio. In 2011-12, approximately 25.7% of the rural population was estimated to be living below the poverty line, meaning they had less than Rs. 816 per month to spend on essential needs.
• Impact on Policy: The estimation of the poverty line is crucial for formulating policies and programs aimed at poverty alleviation. It helps the government to identify the population in need of targeted interventions, such as subsidies, welfare schemes, and other forms of assistance.

The figure of Rs. 816 per capita per month for rural areas was a reflection of the economic conditions and cost of living in India during that period, providing a benchmark for understanding and addressing poverty in the country.