Economic Survey

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option b

Explanation
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) released the HCES 2022-23, after a gap of over 10 years since the last survey in 2011-12. The data is useful for understanding consumption and expenditure patterns, standard of living and well-being of households. It can play a key role in reviewing critical economic indicators, including GDP, poverty levels, and Consumer Price Inflation.

Statement 1 is correct: The HCES 2022-23 shows about one-third of India’s population survives on less than Rs 100 a day. Rs 100 per person per day may not be enough to buy two square meals and a water bottle in a city, let alone cover rent, travel, health and education. On the other hand, 0.2% of the population spends more than Rs 1,000 per day. The average monthly per capita consumer expenditure of the bottom 50% of the population was a paltry Rs 2,621 . The average expenditure of the top 1% was about Rs 25,000 per month per capita, which is undoubtedly a gross underestimation. The share of the top 1 per cent in consumption expenditure in HCES was about 6 per cent.

Statement 2 is correct: The data shows that over 40% of the population used firewood/dung cake as the primary source of energy for cooking.

Statement 3 is not correct: About 18% of the rural population had no access to toilets in 2022–23.