Previous Year Question

Historically, the official exercise of monetary poverty estimation in India was undertaken by the Planning Commission. Household consumer expenditure data and methodologies recommended by various Expert Groups were used for estimating poverty. Official NITI Aayog material also records the poverty estimates released by the Planning Commission and the use of the Tendulkar methodology.

The methodology for fixing the poverty line evolved over time. Expert Groups headed by Y. K. Alagh, Lakdawala, Tendulkar and Rangarajan made important recommendations regarding poverty estimation. Using the Tendulkar Committee methodology, the Planning Commission estimated India's poverty ratio at 21.9% in 2011–12.

The Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog with effect from 1 January 2015. This is why the option itself mentions “Planning Commission (Now NITI Aayog).”

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are legislative Houses; they may deliberate on policies and expenditure relating to poverty, but the technical institutional exercise of poverty estimation was associated with the Planning Commission.