Context

To localize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and empower grassroots governance, recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) — a transformative tool to measure the progress of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India.

About Panchayat Advancement Index

Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is a composite Index. It  has been compiled based on 435 unique local Indicators (331 mandatory & 104 optional) consisting of 566 unique data points across 9 themes of LSDGs (Localization of Sustainable Development Goals) aligned with National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

PAI reflects India’s commitment to achieving the SDG 2030 Agenda through participatory, bottom-up development. 

Aim of Panchayat Advancement Index

Panchayat Advancement Index aims to assess and measure the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localized SDGs, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 2030.

·   The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is a multi-domain and multi-sectoral index that is intended to be used to assess the overall holistic development, performance & progress of Panchayats.

Score of the Panchayats

Based on the PAI scores & thematic Scores achieved by different Gram Panchayats, these GPs are grouped into one of the categories of performance – Achiever: (90+), Front Runner: (75 to below 90); Performer: (60 to below 75); Aspirant: (40 to below 60) and Beginners (below 40).

Themes of Localized SDGs

1.      Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods in Panchayat,

2.      Healthy Panchayat,

3.      Child-Friendly Panchayat,

4.      Water-Sufficient Panchayat,

5.      Clean and Green Panchayat,

6.      Panchayat with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure,

7.      Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat,

8.      Panchayat with Good Governance

9.      Women-Friendly Panchayat.

Implications

 The outcomes of the PAI, over time, will reflect incremental progress based on the scores achieved by Panchayats, highlighting their advancement toward realizing the LSDGs. The first ever baseline Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) FY 22-23, will play a vital role in setting local targets, identifying actionable points, and facilitating the preparation of evidence-based Panchayat Development Plans aimed at achieving the desired goals.

State-wise panchayats Highlights:

• Front Runner Gram Panchayats:
• Gujarat: 346 (highest)
• Telangana: 270
• Performer Gram Panchayats:
• Gujarat: 13,781
• Maharashtra: 12,242
• Telangana: 10,099
• Madhya Pradesh: 7,912
• Uttar Pradesh: 6,593
• Aspirant Gram Panchayats (indicating need for focused development):
• Bihar
• Chhattisgarh
• Andhra Pradesh

Overall PAI 2022-23 Data (across India):

• Total Gram Panchayats: 2,55,699
• Validated Data Submitted: 2,16,285 Panchayats
• Categorization:
• Front Runners: 699 (0.3%)
• Performers: 77,298 (35.8%)
• Aspirants: 1,32,392 (61.2%)
• Beginners: 5,896 (2.7%)
• Achievers: 0 (None qualified)

Conclusion

The index resonates with the needs of rural India making them contextually meaningful at the grassroots level. The PAI serves as a tool for assessment and promotes healthy competition among Panchayats.