The first step to eradicating poverty is reliable poverty assessment for program design, implementation, and monitoring. In this context discuss the methodology and significance of NITI Aayog's National Multidimensional Poverty Index.

NITI Aayog which has replaced Planning Commission publishes MPI index though there has not been any study based on consumption pattern (eg: Rangarajan, Tendulkar committee) Methodology MPJ includes 12 indicators across: - Health (1/3): Nutrition, Child mortality - Education (1/3): Years of schooling, Literacy rate - Standard of Living (1/3): Access to services (like sanitation, cooking fuel, ban along) It is designed based on MPI index by UNDP and OPHI. However 2 more indicators are added which are accesses to bank account and maternal mortality.

All access to bank account and maternal mortality Significance Positive role → analyses poverty beyond access to food, clothing, shelters → compare states performances (competitive federalism) → use NFHS data which is periodically available Challenge: - It is not substitute for holistic assessment based on consumption expenditure (poverty line calculation) As per recent report, 4115 crore critiqued poverty between 2004-05 to 2019-21. However, given COVID challenge government should constitute a committee for holistic study

— Shoham Teberiwal · AIR 77