Consider the following Committees relating to poverty and arrange their formation in correct chronological order.

Question

Consider the following Committees relating to poverty and arrange their formation in correct chronological order.

1. Lakdawala Committee

2. Rangarajan Committee

3. Tendulkar Committee

4. Dandekar and Rath Committee

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 4, 1, 2, 3
2. B. 1, 4, 3, 2
3. C. 1, 4, 2, 3
4. D. 4, 1, 3, 2 (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — 4, 1, 3, 2

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 4, 1, 3, 2.

Key Points

• 4. Dandekar and Rath Committee — 1971. The first systematic estimate, based on a calorie norm.
• 1. Lakdawala Committee — 1993. Recommended state-specific poverty lines and separate rural and urban baskets.
• 3. Tendulkar Committee — 2009. Moved away from the pure calorie anchor to a broader consumption basket including health and education.
• 2. Rangarajan Committee — 2014. Raised the poverty line above the Tendulkar level.
• Order: 4 → 1 → 3 → 2, option (d).

Additional Information

• Dandekar and Rath used a norm of 2,250 calories per person per day; the later official norms were 2,400 (rural) and 2,100 (urban).
• The Alagh Committee (1979) first constructed the official poverty line on the basis of calorie requirements.
• Tendulkar estimated poverty at about 21.9% for 2011-12; Rangarajan, using a higher line, put it at about 29.5% for the same year.
• Poverty estimates are based on the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) consumption expenditure surveys; the debate over uniform recall period (URP) versus mixed recall period (MRP) is a standard follow-up point.
• India now also reports a National Multidimensional Poverty Index through NITI Aayog, which measures deprivation rather than expenditure.