The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI), a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the performance of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India.

This initiative aims to assess progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level.

What is the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)?

The PAI is a multi-dimensional index that measures the holistic development and performance of Gram Panchayats. It is based on 435 unique local indicators (331 mandatory and 104 optional), encompassing 566 data points across nine themes aligned with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and the National Indicator Framework of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Key Features of the PAI

Performance Categories: Gram Panchayats are classified into five categories based on their scores:

Achiever: 90 and above

Front Runner: 75 to below 90

Performer: 60 to below 75

Aspirant: 40 to below 60

Beginner: Below 40 

Baseline Report (FY 2022-23): Out of 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats, 2,16,285 submitted validated data. The distribution is as follows:

Front Runners: 699 GPs (0.3%)

Performers: 77,298 GPs (35.8%)

Beginners: 5,896 GPs (2.7%)

Objectives and Significance

Evidence-Based Planning: The PAI facilitates evidence-based planning at the grassroots level by identifying development gaps and enabling targeted interventions.

Monitoring Progress: It serves as a monitoring tool to track the incremental progress of Gram Panchayats towards achieving the LSDGs.

Collaborative Effort: The development of the PAI involved collaboration with various Union Ministries, State Governments, and UN Agencies, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach.