Despite various ways to measure poverty in India, it remains a complex task. Do you think time has come to revise the poverty line? Critically analyse.

Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

4. Despite various ways to measure poverty in India, it remains a complex task. Do you think time has come to revise the poverty line? Critically analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question: EAC-PM Chairman Bibek Debroy has said India may require a new way to measure poverty. Key Demand of the question: To write about various ways to measure poverty and issues in regards to poverty measurement. Directive word: Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by writing about importance of poverty measurement. Body: First, write about the various ways to measure poverty – National Sample Survey (NSS) based per capita consumption, Income based poverty line, consumption-based poverty line, Poverty line basket, Various committees and international standards etc. Next, write about the various issues with poverty measurement in India. Next, write about the need for a revised poverty line. Mention its pros and cons. Conclusion: Conclude with a balanced opinion.

Why the question:

EAC-PM Chairman Bibek Debroy has said India may require a new way to measure poverty.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about various ways to measure poverty and issues in regards to poverty measurement.

Directive word:

Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by writing about importance of poverty measurement.

First, write about the various ways to measure poverty – National Sample Survey (NSS) based per capita consumption, Income based poverty line, consumption-based poverty line, Poverty line basket, Various committees and international standards etc.

Next, write about the various issues with poverty measurement in India.

Next, write about the need for a revised poverty line. Mention its pros and cons.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a balanced opinion.