Which methodology does this calculator use?

This calculator uses the Ahmad, Faizi and Siddiqui (2024) methodology, which rebuilds Kuppuswamy's original 1976 income brackets using the actual historical CPI-IW index values recorded at each base-year transition (1960, 1982, 2001, 2016), then scales to the current CPI-IW.

What is the total score range for the Kuppuswamy scale?

Total score ranges from 3 to 29, combining education (1-7), occupation (1-10) and income (1-12) scores of the head of the family.

How are the classes defined?

Upper class 26-29, Upper middle class 16-25, Middle class 11-15, Lower middle class 5-10, Lower class below 5.

Kuppuswamy Scale Calculator

Last updated: September 18, 2026 · Default CPI-IW: 153.2 (July 2026, Labour Bureau) · Method at the end of page¹

Edit CPI-IW: ✏️

↳ Income brackets are rebuilt from Kuppuswamy's 1976 values using actual historical CPI-IW index points¹

Education of Head of Family

Occupation of Head of Family

Total Monthly Family Income (₹)

Total Score: – / 29

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Education: – · Occupation: – · Income: –

Enter income to see category

Class	Score
Upper class (I)	26–29
Upper middle class (II)	16–25
Middle class (III)	11–15
Lower middle class (IV)	5–10
Lower class (V)	<5

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Income Categories (Ahmad, Faizi & Siddiqui 2024 Method)

Recalculates live as you change the CPI-IW value above.

Group	Monthly Family Income (₹)	Score

About the Kuppuswamy Scale

The Kuppuswamy Scale, developed in 1976, classifies urban families into five socioeconomic classes using education, occupation and income of the head of the family. Since income is CPI-sensitive, it is periodically updated using the CPI-IW published by the Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

Reference: ¹Ahmad A, Faizi N, Siddiqui NA. Revised Prasad and Kuppuswamy socioeconomic scales for India in 2024: Methods and Updates. Indian J Community Health. 2024;36(4):598-603. DOI: 10.47203/IJCH.2024.v36i04.015

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