Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Haryana. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss.

Kerala has a lower per capita income but it is known for its high literacy rate, lower infant mortality rate, and robust healthcare facilities. These are the indicators of human development. Despite a higher per capita income, Haryana faces challenges related to education, healthcare, and social well-being. Per capita income is a common metric for comparing wealth and living standards across countries or states. It overlooks income disparities within the population and other facilities, infrastructures etc. Per capita income alone doesn’t reflect overall quality of life or well-being. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment considers multiple dimensions and not just per capita income.