Niti Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The Niti Aayog Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) provides a comprehensive measure of poverty in India beyond just monetary aspects. It evaluates deprivation across 12 indicators covering health, education, and standard of living. The latest report highlights a significant reduction in MPI from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, indicating that 24.82 crore people have escaped multidimensional poverty. This achievement is attributed to various government initiatives targeting different dimensions of poverty. The MPI is designed to align with the global MPI while being customized for India, and a coordination committee oversees its implementation. The index’s success signifies progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030, reducing inter-state disparities, and improving overall well-being. However, challenges include varied performance across states and the use of projected estimates due to data limitations. The way forward emphasizes continued government efforts to ensure all-round development and a prosperous future for all Indians.