<P> Below Poverty Line is an economic benchmark used by the government of India to indicate economic disadvantage and to identify individuals and households in need of government assistance and aid . It is determined using various parameters which vary from state to state and within states . The present criteria are based on a survey conducted in 2002 . Going into a survey due for a decade, India's central government is undecided on criteria to identify families below poverty line . </P> <P> Internationally, an income of less than $1.90 per day per head of purchasing power parity is defined as extreme poverty . By this estimate, about 21.2% of Indians are extremely poor . Income - based poverty lines consider the bare minimum income to provide basic food requirements; it does not account for other essentials such as health care and education . </P>

Who is considered below poverty line in india