The paper investigates the spatial pattern of multidimensional deprivation in rural areas by developing a multidimensional deprivation index and examining its relationships with the poverty ratio and per capita income across the states in India. The analysis reveals that the states located in the central part of the country suffer a greater degree of deprivation. It further demonstrates that, with some exceptions, the MDI has a strong and positive correlation with the poverty ratio while it is inversely related with the per capita income in most of the states. The findings, therefore, draw attention towards the need for targeted spatial interventions, within the social sector policies, to overcome the persistent regional disparities at the subnational level.
