Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Panchayat Devolution Index , which is based on a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA).

Background: –

• The index was last published in 2014, and over the past decade, the national average score has increased from 39.92 to 43.89.

Key takeaways

• As of 2024, India has 2.62 lakh panchayats, an increase from 2.48 lakh in 2013-14. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of panchayats in both 2013-14 and 2024.
• The IIPA studied 172 panchayats across 68 districts in India to assess the performance of the panchayat system based on six parameters: framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building, and accountability. Using this data, the IIPA developed the Panchayat Devolution Index.
• The index scores states on a scale of 0 to 100. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu ranked highest on the index, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar showed the most significant improvement.
• According to the latest index, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand are the lowest-scoring states. 
• Notably, in 2013-14, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh got the top scores.
• Women representation: While most states have a 50% reservation quota for women in panchayats, seven states and union territories fall below this threshold.
• Odisha has the highest proportion of women among panchayat representatives at 61.51%, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 57.5% and Tamil Nadu at 57.32%.
• Uttar Pradesh has the lowest proportion of women representatives at 33.33%, as its regulations allow only a one-third reservation for women.
• Nationally, the average proportion of women representatives is 46.44%, a slight increase from 45.9% in 2013-14.
• While there is no formal reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs, specific states have shown notable representation of these groups in panchayats.
• Punjab has the highest proportion of SC representatives at 36.34%.
• Chhattisgarh has the highest share of ST representatives at 41.04%.
• Bihar has the highest representation of OBCs at 39.02%.
• In comparison, the national average representation for these groups is 18.03% for SCs, 16.22% for STs, and 19.15% for OBCs.

Source: Indian Express