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Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)
Getting the ‘micropicture’ at the panchayat level
Context: India’s journey toward evidence-based governance faces significant roadblocks, with experts highlighting persistent delays in Census operations and the inconsistent availability of long-term, time-series data.
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- Additionally, the change in methodologies across surveys and the complexity of government databases further limit the usability of data for decision-making.
- Although the Indian government has launched several initiatives, such as the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012, and portals like Data.gov.in, accessibility and usability remain major concerns for researchers, elected representatives, and the general public.
Ground Reality
- Serve Bureaucrats: At the grassroots level, data collection in gram panchayats, blocks, and districts is typically designed to serve bureaucrats at state and central levels.
- Fail to Address Local Needs: These portals often fail to address the needs of local government functionaries or elected members at the panchayat level.
- Macro-Statistics: This top-heavy approach results in a focus on macro-level statistics, often neglecting the granular, micro-level insights crucial for targeted local development.
- Not User Friendly: When data is tied to specific households and families, it becomes not just relevant but powerful—especially if presented in formats that are simple and actionable.
- Unfortunately, government portals still lack user-friendly data visualisation and analytics tools, leaving even trained researchers overwhelmed.
- This results in continued reliance on experience or intuition rather than hard data when making policy decisions.
PAI: A Milestone in Data-Driven Panchayati Raj
- Against this backdrop, the launch of the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report 2022-23, officially released in April 2025 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, marks a significant shift.
- The PAI is a composite index based on 435 local-level indicators—including 331 mandatory and 104 optional metrics—capturing 566 unique data points.
- These indicators align with the Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and the National Indicator Framework (NIF) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- Data from over 2.16 lakh gram panchayats (GPs) were validated and analysed, offering detailed insights across nine LSDG themes.
- What sets the PAI apart is its accessibility—designed so that even a sarpanch or ward member, with minimal support, can understand their GP’s standing and what steps need to be taken to improve.
- However, not all states performed equally.
- While 25 States/UTs submitted nearly complete validated data, Uttar Pradesh submitted data for only 40% of its GPs (23,207 out of 57,702), raising concerns about transparency and development in India’s most populous state.
A Tool for Inclusive Governance
- The newly launched PAI Portal serves as a powerful tool for local officials, elected representatives, and even civil society organisations (CSOs).
- It allows users to generate constituency-wise reports, aiding Members of Parliament and MLAs in planning targeted interventions to achieve the SDGs.
- For example, under the “Healthy Panchayat” indicator, a GP’s performance can now be directly correlated to specific healthcare outcomes, highlighting gaps and guiding prompt interventions.
- This outcome-oriented data empowers all stakeholders—from frontline health workers to civil society—to play an informed role in rural development.
Mobilising Academia and CSR for Grassroots Impact
- To maximise the potential of PAI, over 4,000 institutions affiliated with the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan can play a vital role by studying and supporting at least five nearby gram panchayats.
- Explaining PAI scores to communities and guiding them in improvement strategies can significantly enhance local governance.
- Additionally, PAI data should inform the allocation of CSR funds, PM’s Mineral Area Development Fund (DMF), MPLADS, and MLALAD schemes, ensuring resources are effectively aligned with SDG achievement by 2030.
Need for Trained Data Analysts at the Local Level
- To sustain this momentum, it’s crucial to deploy trained data analysts at the block and district levels.
- These professionals can regularly generate report cards tailored for GPs, helping stakeholders understand trends, challenges, and opportunities in real time.
- While PAI is a central initiative, its true potential lies in how states and local governments leverage it for targeted development.
Expanding the Model to Urban India
- Given its success, a similar Achievement Index must be developed for urban local bodies, enabling evidence-based policymaking across rural and urban governance systems.
- Regular updates to the baseline report are essential to keep the momentum going and to continuously track progress toward achieving the SDGs.
The Panchayat Advancement Index is not just about ranking villages, districts, or states. It is a call to action, urging all stakeholders to move from data collection to data-driven decision-making.
