Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Goa have emerged as best-performing among all States and Union Territories in the Social Progress Index (SPI), while Jharkhand and Bihar as worst, according to a report mandated by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
The report titled 'Social Progress Index: States and Districts of India' released by EAC-PM Chairman Bibek Debroy further said that Aizawl (Mizoram), Solan (Himachal Pradesh) and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) have emerged as the top three best-performing districts.
The report has been prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness and the Social Progress Imperative and was mandated by the EAC-PM.
According to the report, Puducherry has the highest SPI score of 65.99 in the country, attributable to its remarkable performance across components like personal freedom and choice, shelter, and water and sanitation.
Lakshadweep and Goa closely follow it with scores of 65.89 and 65.53, respectively, it added.
As per the report, Jharkhand and Bihar scored the lowest, 43.95 and 44.47, respectively.
The report ranks 36 states/Union Territories and 707 districts of India based on their performance across various social progress indicators in terms of access to education, healthcare, water and sanitation, exercising personal freedom and choice, ensuring shelter, personal safety and quality environment for people.
It pointed out that only 27 out of 112 districts under the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) have scored above the national average on the Social Progress Index.