2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 100: Economy and Social Development

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) :

  1. 1.MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology.
  2. 2.MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators.
  3. 3.Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 and 2 only
b1, 2 and 3
c1 and 3 only
d2 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

The Multidimensional Poverty Index is calculated using the Alkire-Foster counting methodology, so statement 1 is right. NITI Aayog's National MPI has twelve indicators across health, education and standard of living, so statement 2 is right. The UNDP-OPHI global MPI has ten indicators; the national MPI added maternal health and bank account, which are not in the global one, so statement 3 is wrong.

  • 1. The MPI uses the Alkire-Foster methodology.
  • 2. NITI Aayog's MPI has twelve indicators.
  • 3. Maternal health and bank account are additions in the national MPI, not in the global MPI.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: The MPI uses the Alkire-Foster methodology.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: Maternal health and bank account are additions in the national MPI, not in the global MPI.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right: Alkire-Foster method and twelve indicators.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 3 is wrong, since maternal health and bank account appear only in the national MPI.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 3 is wrong, and statement 2 is correct.
  • (d) Incomplete: statement 1 is also correct.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.