The concept of the Poverty Line in India refers to the minimum income or consumption level required to meet the basic needs and sustain a decent living standard. It is an important indicator that helps in evaluating the extent and depth of poverty in the country. The key features of the Poverty Line in India are: 1. National poverty line: The poverty line is calculated at the national level by considering the average calorie intake and the expenditure on essential non-food items. 2. Rural and urban differentiation: Different poverty lines are used for rural and urban areas, acknowledging the disparities and varying cost of living. 3. Tendulkar methodology: The Tendulkar methodology is used to estimate the poverty line. It considers both food and non-food items in the calculation and is updated regularly. 4. Poverty reduction programs: The poverty line is crucial for identifying beneficiaries and targeting anti-poverty programs like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Public Distribution System. 5. Criticisms and debates: The poverty line in India has faced criticism for its conservative estimation, excluding certain necessary expenses and not considering multidimensional poverty indicators. Overall, the Poverty Line in India is a tool to quantify poverty, guide policy interventions, and measure progress towards poverty eradication.