In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because

The correct option is (B) because poverty lines are calculated based on the monetary value of a minimum consumption basket, which fluctuates across states due to variations in the cost of living and price levels. Option (A) is a common misconception because poverty rates are the statistical *result* of applying the poverty line to a population, rather than the factor that determines where the line is set. The core concept being tested is the methodology of poverty estimation in India, specifically how state-specific price indices are used to adjust the poverty threshold.