Prelims – Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains (GS II) – Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance.
Why in news?
In a push for data driven governance, the Department of Panchayati Raj has come up with the first ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI).
- Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – Aims to assess and measure the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localized SDGs, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 2030.
- It is a multi-domain and multi-sectoral index that is intended to be used to assess the overall holistic development, performance & progress of Panchayats.
- The index takes into account various socio-economic indicators and parameters to gauge the well-being and development status of the local communities within the jurisdiction of a Panchayat.
- Launched by – Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- 9 themes – PAI has been compiled based on 435 unique local Indicators (331 mandatory & 104 optional) on nine themes.
 – Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance. Why in news? In a push for data driven governance, the Department of Panchayati Raj has come up with the first ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI). • Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) – Aims to assess and measure the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localized SDGs, thereby contributing to the attainment of SDG 2030. • It is a multi-domain and multi-sectoral index that is intended to be used to assess the overall holistic development, performance & progress of Panchayats. • The index takes into account various socio-economic indicators and parameters to gauge the well-being and development status of the local communities within the jurisdiction of a Panchayat. • Launched by – Ministry of Panchayati Raj. • 9 themes – PAI has been compiled based on 435 unique local Indicators (331 mandatory & 104 optional) on nine themes. • These themes align global goals with rural realities, helping local governments tailor their strategies for holistic development. • Categories of performance – Based on these, gram panchayats are grouped into one of the 5 categories of performance 1. Achiever (90+) 2. Front runner (75 to below 90) 3. Performer(60 to below 75) 4. Aspirant (40 to below 60) 5. Beginners (below 40) • Performance – The 2022-23 PAI data reveals that out of 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats, 2,16,285 submitted validated data. • 699 (0.3%) Panchayats emerged as Front Runners, 77,298 (35.8%) were Performers, 1,32,392 (61.2%) were Aspirants while 5,896(2.7%) Gram Panchayats were at the Beginner Level. • None of the Gram Panchayat was qualified as an Achiever and as of now, no inter-state comparison has been done. • Gujarat led the index with 346 Gram Panchayat as Front Runners, followed by Telangana with 270 Front Runners. • States with a high number of Performers include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana along with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. • Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh have a significant share of Aspirant Gram Panchayats. • Significance of PAI – Promotes Evidence-Based Planning. • Enhances Accountability & Transparency. • Fosters Competitive Federalism. • Localizing SDGs. • Informs Resource Allocation. References 1. The Hindu | Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2. PIB | Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI))
- These themes align global goals with rural realities, helping local governments tailor their strategies for holistic development.
- Categories of performance – Based on these, gram panchayats are grouped into one of the 5 categories of performance
- Achiever (90+)
- Front runner (75 to below 90)
- Performer(60 to below 75)
- Aspirant (40 to below 60)
- Beginners (below 40)
- Performance – The 2022-23 PAI data reveals that out of 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats, 2,16,285 submitted validated data.
- 699 (0.3%) Panchayats emerged as Front Runners, 77,298 (35.8%) were Performers, 1,32,392 (61.2%) were Aspirants while 5,896(2.7%) Gram Panchayats were at the Beginner Level.
- None of the Gram Panchayat was qualified as an Achiever and as of now, no inter-state comparison has been done.
- Gujarat led the index with 346 Gram Panchayat as Front Runners, followed by Telangana with 270 Front Runners.
- States with a high number of Performers include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana along with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh have a significant share of Aspirant Gram Panchayats.
- Significance of PAI – Promotes Evidence-Based Planning.
- Enhances Accountability & Transparency.
- Fosters Competitive Federalism.
- Localizing SDGs.
- Informs Resource Allocation.
References
- The Hindu | Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)
- PIB | Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)
