Question

Many scholars consider the study conducted by Dandekar and Rath in the 1960s as the first systematic assessment of poverty in independent India. Which option from the following is NOT correct about the study?

• A. The study used the data on monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) from the 1960–61 round of the National Sample Surveys.
• B. The study used the identical calorie norm for rural and urban areas.
• C. The poverty head count ratio estimated by the study was higher for rural areas than that for urban areas.
• D. The study used the same poverty line for all states.

Hint:

Remember the contrasts: Dandekar–Rath used a single calorie norm and a uniform poverty line; later methods (e.g., 1979 Task Force) moved to different rural/urban norms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: What the study actually used.
Dandekar \& Rath (1960s) based poverty on NSS 1960–61 MPCE data and a fixed calorie norm (identical for rural and urban in their formulation), applying a single national poverty line—thus (A), (B) and (D) are correct.
Step 2: Compare rural vs.\ urban headcount reported.
Their estimates indicated {urban} poverty was not lower than rural in that baseline; therefore the statement that rural HCR was higher than urban is not correct. Hence, option (C) is the one NOT correct about the study.