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Panchayat Advancement Index: Assessing Rural Governance for SDG Localization

Last Updated

11th April, 2025

Date Published

11th April, 2025

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A symbolic and realistic hero image in 16_9 aspect ratio representing the Indian Panchayat System.
Panchayat Advancement Index_ Assessing Rural Governance for SDG Localization
  • Launch Date: The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) was launched on April 9, 2025, by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
  • Purpose: A multi-dimensional index to evaluate the performance of gram panchayats in implementing Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) for holistic rural development.
  • Coverage: Assesses 2.16 lakh gram panchayats across 29 states and Union Territories, out of India’s total 2.55 lakh panchayats.
  • Non-Included Regions: Data from 11,712 gram panchayats in five states/UTs (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Goa, Puducherry, West Bengal) was excluded due to lack of state validation.
  • Uttar Pradesh Data: Out of 57,702 gram panchayats in Uttar Pradesh, only 23,207 provided validated data.
  • Nine Themes of Assessment:
    • Poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods
    • Healthy panchayat
    • Child-friendly panchayat
    • Water-sufficient panchayat
    • Clean and green panchayat
    • Self-sufficient infrastructure
    • Socially just and socially secured panchayat
    • Good governance
    • Women-friendly panchayat
  • Scoring System: Panchayats scored on a 0–100 scale based on 435 local indicators and 566 unique data points aligned with the National Indicator Framework.
  • Ranking Categories:
    • Achiever: 90–100 (no panchayats qualified)
    • Front Runner: 75–90 (699 panchayats, 0.3%)
    • Performer: 60–75 (77,298 panchayats, 35.8%)
    • Aspirant: 40–60 (1,32,392 panchayats, 61.2%)
    • Beginner: Below 40 (5,896 panchayats, 2.7%)
  • Top Performers: Gujarat led with 346 Front Runner panchayats, followed by Telangana (270) and Tripura (42).
  • Low Performers: Chhattisgarh had the highest number of Beginner panchayats (1,449), followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,237).
  • SDG Context: Aligns with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set in 2015 for 2030, covering 269 targets and 231 indicators, including no poverty, zero hunger, and climate action.
  • Localization of SDGs: Emphasizes adapting SDGs to local contexts, with panchayats as key agents of grassroots governance.
  • NITI Aayog’s Role: Tracks state-level SDG progress through the SDG India Index since 2018, complementing PAI’s focus on panchayats.
  • Data Validation: Panchayats submit data via the PAI portal (www.pai.gov.in), validated by states/UTs for accuracy.
  • Significance: Enables evidence-based planning, identifies development gaps, and fosters competition among panchayats to improve SDG outcomes.
  • Expert View: Abha Samaddar, Principal Secretary (Civil Defence), Uttar Pradesh, stated PAI is a crucial step for fast-tracking SDG localization at the grassroots level.
  • Collaboration: Developed with inputs from Union Ministries, state governments, and UN agencies.
  • Objective: Enhances transparency, accountability, and community-driven rural development to meet the 2030 SDG agenda.

Glossary:

  • Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI): A tool to measure gram panchayat performance in achieving localized Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 17 global goals set by the UN in 2015 for 2030 to address poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges.
  • Localization of SDGs (LSDGs): Adapting global SDGs to local contexts for effective implementation at the grassroots level.
  • Gram Panchayat: The lowest tier of rural local self-government in India, responsible for village-level administration.
  • National Indicator Framework: A set of metrics developed by the Ministry of Statistics to monitor SDG progress in India.

Link To The Original Article – https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/panchayat-advancement-index-faq-ranking-9937042/