interpretation of the relevant variables and thus affect the predictability of our model. We find for all the variables that we include, the questions are similar across surveys. On the other hand, there are questions related to expenditure on consumer durables in both surveys that we do not include. First, there are discrepancies in relation to the wording of the questions between the NSSO72 and earlier surveys.<sup>20</sup> Second, the recording of possession and expenditures was different between the surveys. We observed the discrepancies in the manuals provided to the surveyors.<sup>21</sup> Third, we confirm that the sampling frame is similar across all surveys. Like the earlier rounds, the NSSO72 is a multi-stage stratified survey of all states/union territories in India. To more accurately represent population density, for the 72nd round the primary sampling units (PSUs) are selected from the 2011 census list of villages in the rural sector while for the earlier rounds they are drawn from the 2001 census list of villages. Also, the number of PSUs are slightly higher, 14,088, in the 72nd round. For each of the earlier surveys, 12,784 PSUs are selected.<sup>22</sup> For the urban sector, in all surveys the PSUs are sampled from the Urban Frame Survey (UFS) blocks. For all surveys, the methodology to select the PSUs, the strata, sub-strata and the ultimate stage units (USUs) or households remains the same.<sup>23</sup>

> 20The NSSO61, NSSO66 and NSSO68 ask about “expenditure for purchase and construction (including repair and maintenance) of durable goods for domestic use” and the NSSO72 asks about “expenditure on durable goods acquired during the last _365 days_ other than those used exclusively for entrepreneurial activity”. Second, the NSSO61, NSSO66 and NSSO68 (type 1 survey) has questions for a 30 day and a 365 day recall period while the question on the NSSO72 only asks about expenditure for the 365 recall period. Third, the NSSO61, NSSO66 and NSSO68 asks about expenditure for “purchase and construction”, while the NSSO72 asks about “acquisition” rather than explicitly about purchase. Fourth, the NSSO61, NSSO66 and NSSO68 ask about purchase for “domestic use” while the NSSO72 asks about goods “other than those used exclusively for entrepreneurial activity”. This includes the total value of raw materials, services and/or labor charges and any other charges. There is no explicit mention of “construction” or “repair and maintenance” in the NSSO72, but there is a value of components column that most likely includes raw materials used in construction. Fifth, in the NSSO68, there is a separate question on whether the good was bought for “hire purchase”. The surveyor is asked to make the distinction between “hire purchase” and a loan. The NSSO72 instruction manual does not mention anything about goods bought on “hire purchase”.

> 21First, if an asset was bought and sold during the reference period, it is recorded in the earlier NSSO surveys but not in NSSO72. Second, in the earlier surveys if the item has been purchased but not yet in the household’s possession, the expenditure is recorded by the surveyor. However, in the NSSO72 a durable good that is not in the household’s possession even if full payment has been made is not included. Third, if the durable good is in possession but has not been paid for, it is not included in the earlier NSSO surveys but is included in the NSSO72 (Instructions to Field Staff, Chapter Four).

> 22The NSSO refers to PSUs as First Stage Units (FSUs). The term ’village’ is Panchayat wards for Kerala.

> 23In the event that the population is greater than 1,200 in a PSU, the PSU is divided into “hamlet groups” “sub-blocks” in the rural and urban PSUs, respectively.

8