The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) was introduced by the Government of India in 2025. It ranks over 2.16 lakh panchayats based on their progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability in local governance. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj developed the PAI to assess panchayats across nine key SDG themes. The index categorises panchayats into five performance groups based on their scores.
About the Panchayat Advancement Index
The PAI evaluates panchayats on a scale of 0 to 100. The categories are:
- Achiever (90-100): Front Runner (75-90)
- Performer (60-75): Aspirant (40-60)
- Beginner (below 40): This ranking system identifies the developmental status of each panchayat.
It enables local bodies to assess their performance and compare it with others.
Key Themes of the Index
The PAI focuses on nine SDG themes:
- Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods
- Healthy Panchayat
- Child-Friendly Panchayat
- Water Sufficient Panchayat
- Clean and Green Panchayat
- Self-Sufficient Infrastructure
- Socially Just and Secure Panchayat
- Good Governance
- Women-Friendly Panchayat
These themes address essential aspects of rural development and governance.
Data Collection and Validation
The data for PAI was collected from 2.55 lakh gram panchayats. Out of these, 2.16 lakh panchayats from 29 states and Union Territories provided validated data. The index uses 435 unique local indicators to measure performance. These include both mandatory and optional data points.
Performance
Of the assessed panchayats, 699 were classified as Front Runners. Most of these are from Gujarat (346) and Telangana (270). A number of panchayats fall into the Performer (77,298) and Aspirant (1,32,392) categories. Notably, no panchayat achieved the highest “Achiever” status. Chhattisgarh has the most Beginners, indicating areas needing improvement.
Significance of PAI
The PAI is important tool for evidence-based planning at the grassroots level. It helps identify gaps in development and informs policy-making. The index is considered a vital step in India’s journey towards SDG localisation. It builds on previous initiatives like the SDG India Index, which assessed states and Union Territories.
Future Implications
The introduction of PAI is expected to accelerate progress towards achieving SDGs at the local level. By encouraging competition among panchayats, it encourages them to improve their performance. The index also enhances accountability and transparency in local governance.
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