Context: Thali Index shows real hunger, urging a shift from calorie-based to practical, food-based poverty measures in India.
1. Traditional Poverty Measurement in India
Based on minimum calorie intake:
2400 calories/day in rural areas
2100 calories/day in urban areas
Measured using consumption expenditure required to meet these calorie needs.
Committees like Tendulkar and Rangarajan suggested updates.
No official revision since 2011-12.
Criticism: Ignores rising costs of health, transport, education, etc.
2. The Thali Index: A New Perspective
A “thali” is a traditional, balanced Indian meal (roti/rice, dal, vegetables).
Recognized by the public and researchers as a practical food consumption unit.
CRISIL estimated thali cost at ₹30 in 2023-24.
Findings:
40% of rural Indians cannot afford two thalis a day.
10% of urban Indians also fall short.
Contrasts with:
SBI report: Rural poverty at 4.86%, Urban at 4.09% (FY24).
World Bank: Extreme poverty at 2.8% (rural) and 1.1% (urban) in 2022-23.
3. Reason for Discrepancy in Estimates
Traditional methods measure total consumption expenditure.
In reality, essentials like housing, health, education, transport come first.
Food becomes residual spending, giving a more realistic sense of deprivation.
Thali Index captures real food access, revealing hidden hunger.
4. Benefits of the Thali Index
Makes welfare schemes (e.g., PDS, food subsidies) more targeted.
Reflects actual living costs, not just statistical averages.
Highlights malnutrition and hidden hunger better than calorie counts.
5. Limitations of the Thali Index
Price variation: Across regions and seasons.
Focused solely on food – misses housing, sanitation, schooling, etc.
Doesn’t address non-food dimensions of poverty.
6. Recommendations for Better Poverty Measurement
Use Thali Index + Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Update poverty lines regularly to reflect current costs.
Reform food subsidies:
Cut subsidies for higher-income groups.
Increase support for the poorest.
Shift focus from calorie-based thresholds to practical indicators of deprivation.
Conclusion
India’s income-based poverty has declined, but food insecurity remains high. The Thali Index offers a grounded, human-centric approach to understanding poverty, and can guide better policy targeting and social welfare delivery.