Panchayat Advancement Index Report
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DD News
Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the first Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) report for 2022–23, with Gujarat and Telangana topping the rankings.
About Panchayat Advancement Index Report (PAI):
• What is it?
• A multi-sectoral, composite index that assesses the holistic progress and performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across India. Designed to evaluate localised achievements on nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level.
• A multi-sectoral, composite index that assesses the holistic progress and performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across India.
• Designed to evaluate localised achievements on nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level.
• Launched by: Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India.
• Objective:
• To enable data-driven governance at the panchayat level. To help stakeholders identify development gaps and promote evidence-based policy interventions in rural India.
• To enable data-driven governance at the panchayat level.
• To help stakeholders identify development gaps and promote evidence-based policy interventions in rural India.
• Criteria and Indicators Used
• Based on 435 unique indicators (331 mandatory + 104 optional). Drawn from 566 unique data points aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF). Data collected and validated from 2,16,285 panchayats; validation pending for 11,712 GPs from 5 states/UTs.
• Based on 435 unique indicators (331 mandatory + 104 optional).
• Drawn from 566 unique data points aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF).
• Data collected and validated from 2,16,285 panchayats; validation pending for 11,712 GPs from 5 states/UTs.
• Nine Key Thematic Areas:
Highlights of 2022–23 Panchayat Advancement Index Report:
• Front Runners (699 Panchayats): Gujarat (346) and Telangana (270) had the highest number of panchayats scoring between 75 and 90, showing strong performance in SDG-aligned rural governance.
• Performers (77,298 Panchayats): Panchayats in Gujarat (13,781), Maharashtra (12,242), and Telangana (10,099) fell in the 60–75 range, reflecting above-average progress with scope for further improvement.
• Aspirants (1,32,392 Panchayats): A large number of panchayats in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh scored between 40–60, indicating the need for targeted developmental efforts.
• Achiever Category (90+ Score): No panchayat was able to attain the top-tier “Achiever” status, underscoring the need for comprehensive rural transformation across India.