UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):

1. 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 
2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators. 
3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of  United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1 

Explanation:  

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is  designed to measure poverty beyond income  by capturing overlapping deprivations in health, education, and standard of living. 

• The Global MPI developed jointly by the United Nations Development Programme and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative is based on the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology. India’s national MPI prepared by NITI Aayog also follows the same methodology. So, statement 1 is correct. 
• India’s national MPI has three equally  weighted dimensions — Health, Education, and Standard of Living — which are represented through a total of 12 indicators. So, statement 2 is correct. 

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global MPI measures poverty using exactly 10 indicators. While the 10 core indicators from the global index are retained in India's National MPI, NITI  Aayog customized the framework for India by adding exactly two unique, India-specific indicators: Maternal Health (under the Health dimension) and Bank Account (under the Standard of Living  dimension). So, statement 3 is not correct. 

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.