The national poverty line for 2011-12 was estimated at ________ per capita per month for rural areas of India.

The correct answer is Rs. 816. Key Points

• The national poverty line for 2011-12 was estimated at Rs. 816 per capita per month for rural areas of India.
• This poverty line was based on the Tendulkar Committee methodology, which calculated the minimum expenditure required for a person to meet their basic needs.
• The poverty line for urban areas was estimated at Rs. 1,000 per capita per month, which is higher than the rural poverty line due to higher living costs in cities.

Additional Information

• The Tendulkar Committee was formed in 2005 to revise the methodology for estimating poverty in India.
• It recommended using a consumption-based approach rather than an income-based approach.
• The poverty line is an important indicator of the level of poverty in a country and is used to measure progress in poverty reduction efforts.
• The poverty line in India has been criticized for being too low and not reflecting the true cost of living.
• Some experts have called for a higher poverty line that takes into account the cost of healthcare, education, and other essential services.
• The poverty line is used to identify people who are eligible for government welfare programs such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Public Distribution System (PDS).