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Q2 (IAS/2016) International Relations & Global Affairs › Global Indices, Reports & Agreements › Global development indices Official Key

Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. Child mortality Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool to measure hunger at global, regional[1] and national levels, with the composite score based on 4 indicators[1]. The first indicator is the rate of undernourishment, which measures insufficient calorie intake due to inadequate food supply[1]. The second indicator is child stunting, which measures low height as compared to age for children under 5 years of age[1]. The fourth indicator is the under-five mortality rate[2], which captures child mortality. Therefore, all three indicators mentioned in the question—undernourishment, child stunting, and child mortality—are used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index. The correct answer is option C: 1, 2 and 3.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
  2. [2] https://www.globalhungerindex.org/pdf/en/2016.pdf
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Q. Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'Index Anatomy' question. UPSC demands you go beyond the 'Rank of India' trivia and master the 'Methodology' of major reports. If a report is in the news (GHI, HDI, MPI), memorizing its component indicators and publisher is non-negotiable.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is undernourishment one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
Presence: 5/5
“GHI is a tool to measure hunger at global, regional and national levels. It reflects the progress made or setbacks faced by countries in tackling the grave issue of hunger. The Index is published annually jointly by Concern Worldwide and welthungerhilfe. The composite score under GHI to rank countries is based on 4 indicators: • 1. Rates of undernourishment (i.e. insufficient calorie intake due to inadequate food supply). • 2. Child Stunting (low height as compared to the age; for children under 5 years of age). • 3. Child Wasting (low weight when compared to height; for children under 5 years of age). • 4.”
Why this source?
  • Snippet [1] explicitly lists the four composite indicators used to compute the GHI and the first is 'Rates of undernourishment'.
  • Snippet [1] also defines undernourishment as insufficient calorie intake, linking the term directly to the GHI indicator set.
Statement 2
Is child stunting one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
Presence: 5/5
“GHI is a tool to measure hunger at global, regional and national levels. It reflects the progress made or setbacks faced by countries in tackling the grave issue of hunger. The Index is published annually jointly by Concern Worldwide and welthungerhilfe. The composite score under GHI to rank countries is based on 4 indicators: • 1. Rates of undernourishment (i.e. insufficient calorie intake due to inadequate food supply). • 2. Child Stunting (low height as compared to the age; for children under 5 years of age). • 3. Child Wasting (low weight when compared to height; for children under 5 years of age). • 4.”
Why this source?
  • Directly lists the GHI composite score basis and explicitly names 'Child Stunting (low height ... for children under 5)' as one of the four indicators.
  • Places child stunting among the core indicators used to compute the GHI composite score for ranking countries.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Food Security > p. 50
Presence: 3/5
“The World Development Report, 1986 defined food security as a situation of "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active healthy life". The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) defined food security in 1986 as "ensuring that all the people at all times have both physical and economic access to basic food they need". According to the International Food Policy Research Institutes, Global Hunger Index, 2011, India's food security situation continues to rank as alarming. India ranks 67 of the 81 countries of the world with the worst food security status. This means that there are only 14 countries in the world whose people have a worse nutritional status.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) with the Global Hunger Index (mentions 'International Food Policy Research Institutes, Global Hunger Index, 2011').
  • Supports the connection that IFPRI is an authoritative source associated with the GHI referenced in the snippets.
Statement 3
Is child mortality (under-five mortality rate) one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Proportion of undernourished in the population (%) Prevalence of wasting in children under five years (%) Prevalence of stunting in children under five years (%) Under-five mortality rate (%)"
Why this source?
  • Appendix C lists the data underlying the calculation of GHI scores and explicitly includes 'Under-five mortality rate (%)' as a column.
  • This shows child (under-five) mortality is one of the indicators used in computing the Global Hunger Index.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"the Global Hunger Index Components, 1992, 2000, 2008, and 2016"
Why this source?
  • This is the 2016 Global Hunger Index report (context for the indicators listed in Appendix C).
  • Establishes that the preceding data table is part of the official GHI publication.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
Strength: 5/5
“GHI is a tool to measure hunger at global, regional and national levels. It reflects the progress made or setbacks faced by countries in tackling the grave issue of hunger. The Index is published annually jointly by Concern Worldwide and welthungerhilfe. The composite score under GHI to rank countries is based on 4 indicators: • 1. Rates of undernourishment (i.e. insufficient calorie intake due to inadequate food supply). • 2. Child Stunting (low height as compared to the age; for children under 5 years of age). • 3. Child Wasting (low weight when compared to height; for children under 5 years of age). • 4.”
Why relevant

States GHI is a composite score based on four indicators and explicitly lists three child/nutrition indicators (undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting), implying the fourth is another related child/health measure.

How to extend

A student could note that GHI uses multiple nutrition/child indicators and therefore plausibly includes a fourth child-health metric (likely under-five mortality) and then check GHI methodology or IFPRI sources to confirm.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 13: Cultural Setting > HEALTH INDICATORS > p. 118
Strength: 4/5
“• (i) life expectancy at birth,• (ii) crude birth rate per 1000,• (iii) total fertility rate per 1000,• (iv) crude death rate per 1000,• (v) infant mortality rate per 1000,• (vi) under five mortality rate per 1000,• (vii) maternal mortality rate%. Following are the health indicators: The health of the Indian masses and longevity has increased appreciably as the following indicators reveal: • 1. Life Expectancy at Birth Increased from 37 years in 1951 to 67 in 2011• 2. Crude Birth Rate Decreased from (per 1000) 33.90 in 1981 to 26.40 to 21.8 in 2011• 3. Total Fertility Rate Decreased from (per 1000) 4.50 in 1981 to 2.4 in 2011• 4.”
Why relevant

Provides that 'under five mortality rate' is a standard health indicator used in demographic/health assessments.

How to extend

Combine this general rule with the fact GHI uses child/health indicators to infer that under-five mortality is a natural candidate for inclusion and verify against GHI method documents.

Economics, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Poverty as a Challenge > Poverty as seen by social scientists > p. 31
Strength: 4/5
“Since poverty has many facets, social scientists look at it through a variety of indicators. Usually the indicators are used to relate with the levels of income and consumption. In recent times, a variety of other indicators have also been used to recognise whether a person is poor or not. For example, National Multidimensional Poverty Index is calculated on the basis of three broad indicators: health indicators like nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, maternal health. Education indicators like years of schooling and school attendance, and standard of living indicator like cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, housing, electricity, assets, bank account.”
Why relevant

Shows social-science composites (like multidimensional poverty indices) commonly incorporate child mortality as a component alongside nutrition and other health measures.

How to extend

Use this pattern (composites commonly include child mortality) together with GHI's use of nutrition/child indicators to suspect under-five mortality may be the fourth GHI indicator and then confirm from primary GHI/IFPRI sources.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > POVERTY IN INDIA > p. 80
Strength: 3/5
“the basis of National Sample Surveys (NSS) on household consumer expenditure conducted every year. About 29% of the total population of India is living below the poverty line. According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), India is among the world's most hunger-ridden countries. India is above only to Congo, Chad, Burundi and Ethiopia. India has been ranked 130 among 187 countries evaluated for human development index (2015). On Gender Inequality Index, India has been ranked 132nd among 148 countries. According to the UN 2014 report, as many as 597 million 50% people in India are practising open defecation, which is the largest number of people defecating in open in the world.”
Why relevant

Explicitly names IFPRI in context of hunger rankings, linking IFPRI to global hunger measurement and thus to the GHI discussions in other snippets.

How to extend

Use this link to focus further investigation on IFPRI publications/methodology where indicator lists for GHI would be documented.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 11: Contemporary Socio-Economic Issues > Table 11.1 (Contd.) > p. 21
Strength: 3/5
“Te high diferential in the proportion of population Below the Poverty Line needs to be addressed seriously. Tere is an urgent need to generate more employment coupled with strengthening of the special programmes of poverty alleviation. Te high level of poverty diferential among the various states of India is a cause of concern for the planners and policy makers. According to the report of the Global Hunger Index (GHI) there were 842 million hungry people in the world in 2011-13. About 25% of the hungry people or 210 million, are in India alone. Te proportion of undernourished population in India is about 18 per cent.”
Why relevant

Mentions Global Hunger Index figures (e.g., numbers hungry, undernourishment proportion), reinforcing that GHI reports combine nutrition and population-level metrics.

How to extend

A student could reason that given GHI mixes nutrition and population health metrics, a common population health metric (under-five mortality) is a plausible GHI component to verify in IFPRI methodology.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently targets the 'Methodology' of major indices (HDI, MPI, GHI, Ease of Doing Business). The hierarchy of importance is: Publisher > Component Indicators > Weightage > India's Trend. Missing the 'Components' step is a preparation gap.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Covered in standard Economy texts (Nitin Singhania) and every major Current Affairs compilation (Vision/Forum) when the report is released.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: GS-2 (Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger) and GS-3 (Inclusive Growth).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 4 GHI pillars: 1. Undernourishment (1/3 weight), 2. Child Stunting (1/6), 3. Child Wasting (1/6), 4. Child Mortality (1/3). Contrast this with MPI (Nutrition, Child Mortality, Schooling, Assets). Note the publisher shift: IFPRI is no longer the publisher; it is now Concern Worldwide & Welthungerhilfe.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Don't stop at the headline. When reading a report summary, find the 'How is it calculated?' box. UPSC filters candidates by asking about the *ingredients* of the index, not just the final score.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Global Hunger Index — Four core indicators
💡 The insight

Reference [1] gives the GHI composite score basis as four indicators, showing the measurement framework for the index.

High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask what indices measure and their component indicators. Mastering GHI’s indicator set helps answer questions on nutrition metrics, comparative rankings, and policy implications. Learn by memorising the four indicators and relating them to data sources and policy targets.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
🔗 Anchor: "Is undernourishment one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Undernourishment — definition & measurement
💡 The insight

Reference [1] defines undernourishment (insufficient calorie intake) and lists it as a GHI indicator; reference [2] shows national-level proportions of undernourished population.

Understanding what 'undernourishment' means (vs. stunting/wasting) is crucial for interpreting nutrition statistics and policy debates in UPSC. It links to food security, SDGs and health indicators. Prepare by comparing definitions and data sources (e.g., calorie insufficiency vs. anthropometric measures).

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 11: Contemporary Socio-Economic Issues > Table 11.1 (Contd.) > p. 21
🔗 Anchor: "Is undernourishment one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Stakeholders & reports on global hunger (GHI, IFPRI, Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe)
💡 The insight

References reference organisations associated with global hunger metrics: IFPRI and mentions of GHI, and reference [1] names Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe as publishers.

UPSC often asks which agencies publish which global indices. Knowing institutional ownership (who compiles vs who publishes) clarifies credibility and methodology questions. Study major publishers, their roles, and notable reports to answer source-based questions accurately.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > POVERTY IN INDIA > p. 80
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Food Security > p. 50
🔗 Anchor: "Is undernourishment one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hu..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Global Hunger Index (GHI) core indicators
💡 The insight

Reference [1] explicitly lists the GHI's component indicators, including Child Stunting, showing what metrics form the composite index.

Knowing the specific indicators of GHI is high-yield for GS answers on nutrition and food security; it links to questions on malnutrition metrics, SDG monitoring and country rankings. Master by memorising the indicator list and practising application to country-case comparisons.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
🔗 Anchor: "Is child stunting one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hung..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 IFPRI's association with hunger measurement (GHI)
💡 The insight

References [9] and [3] refer to IFPRI in the context of the Global Hunger Index and country hunger assessments.

Understanding which institutions produce key indices (IFPRI, Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe, FAO etc.) helps answer source-based questions and critique data provenance. Learn by mapping major indices to their publishers and typical uses in policy reports.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Food Security > p. 50
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > POVERTY IN INDIA > p. 80
🔗 Anchor: "Is child stunting one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hung..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Distinction between hunger indices and multidimensional poverty measures
💡 The insight

References [1] (GHI indicators) and [7]/[5] (Multidimensional Poverty Index and its nutrition component) highlight different composite measures used for assessing deprivation.

UPSC often asks to compare indices (GHI, MPI, HDI). Grasping differences (what each index measures, typical indicators, institutional ownership) is useful for analytical answers and policy critique. Prepare by tabulating indicators, purposes and publishers of major indices.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 3: Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment > MULTI-DIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX (MPI) > p. 35
🔗 Anchor: "Is child stunting one of the indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hung..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Global Hunger Index (GHI) composition
💡 The insight

Reference [1] states GHI is a composite index based on four indicators and explicitly lists undernourishment, child stunting and child wasting as components.

Knowing the GHI components is high-yield for GS mains and prelims (poverty, nutrition, development indicators). It links to agencies (IFPRI, Concern Worldwide), SDG monitoring and policy evaluation questions. Prepare by memorising the four components, practising short definitions and comparing GHI with other indices (HDI, MPI).

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2020 > p. 338
🔗 Anchor: "Is child mortality (under-five mortality rate) one of the indicators used by IFP..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Weightage Trap' is the next logical question. Undernourishment and Child Mortality each carry 1/3rd weight, while Child Stunting and Wasting share the remaining 1/3rd (1/6th each). Also, remember GHI uses 'Under-5 Mortality', unlike HDI which uses 'Life Expectancy'.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Severity Spectrum' logic. Hunger has three timelines: Past (Stunting), Present (Wasting/Undernourishment), and Final Consequence (Mortality). A 'Global' index would be scientifically incomplete if it ignored the most severe outcome (Death/Mortality). Thus, Statement 3 must be correct.

🔗 Mains Connection

In GS-2 Mains (Hunger), use the GHI structure to categorize your answer. Instead of generic problems, discuss: 1. Intake issues (Undernourishment/PDS), 2. Absorption issues (Stunting/Sanitation), and 3. Survival issues (Mortality/Primary Healthcare). This shows technical understanding.

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