Measuring Poverty in India: History, Methods, and Modern Metrics

How is poverty defined, calculated, and tracked in one of the world's most dynamic economies? Understanding these metrics is crucial for evaluating development progress and shaping effective social policies. This text-based course guides you through the concepts, methodologies, and debates surrounding poverty estimation in India, taking you from foundational definitions to modern analytical frameworks. What you'll learn: 1. Learn the foundational concepts of absolute versus relative poverty and how poverty lines are established. 2. Trace the historical evolution of poverty estimation committees in India, from early post-independence methods to recent frameworks. 3. Understand the transition from consumption expenditure surveys to modern Multidimensional Poverty Indices (MPI). 4. Analyze how poverty data is collected, processed, and utilized in national policy formulation. 5. Evaluate the debates and critiques surrounding different measurement methodologies and data sources. Starting with key definitions and historical milestones, the course walks you through the evolution of measurement techniques before exploring modern multidimensional frameworks and real-world policy applications. This course is designed for beginners, students of economics, public policy enthusiasts, and social science researchers with no prior background in statistical estimation. Start reading today to master the core metrics that shape India's economic landscape.