New Delhi: Kerala has been ranked ninth among states that have achieved “very high social progress”, according to the Social Progress Index (SPI) for states and districts released on Tuesday. The SPI was produced by the Vital Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress presented to the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.
Union Territory Puducherry scored the highest with 65.99, followed by Lakshadweep (65.89) and Goa (65.53). Sikkim (65.10) and Mizoram (64.19) are ranked fourth and fifth respectively. Kerala scored 62.05. Tamil Nadu (63.33), Himachal Pradesh (63.28) and Chandigarh (62.37) are above Kerala.
States with very low social progress are Assam (44.92), Bihar (44.47) and Jharkhand (43.95). Uttar Pradesh (49.16), Odisha (48.19) and Madhya Pradesh (48.11) have “low social progress”.
According to the government, the index assesses states and districts based on 12 components across three critical dimensions of social progress: basic human needs, foundations of well-being and opportunity.
States and districts have been ranked under six tiers based on SPI scores. The levels are: “Very high social progress”, “High social progress”, “Medium social progress high”, “Lower medium social progress”, “Low social progress” and “Social progress very low.”
India is ranked 110th in the global social progress index. With a score of 60.19, India ranks fourth.