The main focus of this study was to allow an empirical comparison of the performance of alternative targeting mechanisms currently used to identify the poor in India. Designing effective mechanisms for targeting at the household-level is crucial for ensuring access to public resources for the poor. A range of administrative, self-targeting and community-based methods were being used in India. However, there was insufficient information about the comparative performance of targeting methods  used in India.

The study aimed at:
• Comparing the ranking of households within villages using different targeting criteria
• Comparing the classification of households as poor or non-poor depending on different threshold criteria (e.g., official poverty line or the community poverty line)
• Understand better the role of local government bodies and other local power structures in targeting outcomes