Panchayat Advancement Index 2024: Gram Panchayat Scores Explained
Why in the news
The Panchayati Raj Ministry released a village-level scorecard on local SDG progress on 9 April 2025.
Key facts
- PAI measures panchayat progress towards Localized SDGs; coverage: 29 States/UTs.
- 435 indicators (331 mandatory, 104 optional), 566 data points, scored 0-100.
- Nine themes: poverty-free livelihoods, healthy, child-friendly, water-sufficient, clean and green, self-sufficient infrastructure, socially just, good governance, women-friendly.
Results
| Category | Score | Panchayats |
|---|---|---|
| Achiever | 90-100 | None |
| Front Runner | 75-90 | 699 |
| Performer | 60-75 | 77,298 |
| Aspirant | 40-60 | 1,32,392 |
| Beginner | Below 40 | 5,896 |
Front Runners by state: Gujarat 346, Telangana 270, Tripura 42.
Background
- India stresses SDG localisation; NITI Aayog has tracked state-level SDG progress since 2018 and PAI goes down to village level.
- Built on insights from the SDG India Index.
Coverage gaps
- About 2.55 lakh panchayats exist; data from 11,712 GPs in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Goa, Puducherry and West Bengal was not validated.
- Uttar Pradesh: 23,207 of 57,702 GPs validated.
Exam angle
- Nodal ministry: Panchayati Raj.
- Highest band with any panchayat: Front Runner.