Gujarat, Telangana excel as govt releases first Panchayat Advancement Index

In News: Gujarat, Telangana excel in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2022–23

Context:

• Government of India launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) to measure the progress of 2.5 lakh+ gram panchayats across India.
• Data period: 2022–23
• Purpose: Track localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the gram panchayat level.

Key Features of PAI:

1. Themes / Localized SDGs (9):
   • Poverty-free & enhanced livelihoods
   • Healthy panchayat
   • Child-friendly panchayat
   • Water-sufficient panchayat
   • Clean & green panchayat
   • Panchayat with self-sufficient infrastructure
   • Socially just & secured panchayat
   • Panchayat with good governance
   • Women-friendly panchayat
2. Scoring & Categories:
   • Achiever: 90+ (none yet)
   • Front Runner: 75–90 (699 panchayats, 0.3%)
   • Performer: 60–75 (77,298, 35.8%)
   • Aspirant: 40–60 (1,32,392, 61.2%)
   • Beginner: <40 (5,896, 2.7%)
3. Top States:
   • Front Runners: Gujarat (346), Telangana (270)
   • Performers: Gujarat (13,781), Maharashtra (12,242), Telangana (10,099), Madhya Pradesh (7,912), Uttar Pradesh (6,593)
4. Data & Indicators:
   • Composite index based on 435 local indicators (331 mandatory + 104 optional)
   • 566 unique data points across nine SDG themes
   • Aligned with National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
   • Data processed for 2.16 lakh panchayats, 11,712 panchayats pending validation (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Goa, Puducherry, West Bengal)

Significance:

• Promotes evidence-based governance at the local level.
• Encourages competition and peer learning among gram panchayats.
• Highlights best practices and developmental gaps for targeted interventions.
• Supports decentralization, accountability, and SDG localization in rural India.
  
  Updated : 09 April 2025, 9:16 PM | Deccan Herald