Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Report
- Context: Released by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day (24 April 2026).
- Acts as a performance report card for Gram Panchayats across India.
Top Performing Themes
- Theme 1: Poverty-Free & Enhanced Livelihoods
- Theme 2: Healthy Panchayats
Participation & Coverage
- 97.30% participation rate in PAI 2.0.
- 2,59,867 Gram Panchayats from 33 States/UTs submitted validated data.
- Significant improvement from 80.79% participation in PAI 1.0.
Key Improvements in PAI 2.0
- Unified data entry form for ease of reporting.
- Mandatory Gram Sabha validation to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Auto-integration of data from national portals of Union Ministries.
- Advanced validation mechanisms (soft and cross-checking) for accuracy.
- Real-time dashboards for better monitoring and navigation.
- Vernacular language support for inclusivity.
Significance
- Strengthens grassroots governance and decentralisation.
- Promotes data-driven and transparent decision-making.
- Reinforces the vision of “Viksit Gram Panchayats” (developed villages).
- Encourages inclusive and participatory rural development.
About Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0
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- Developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj as a data-driven framework to assess the performance of Gram Panchayats.
- Acts as a tool for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and incentivising Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Purpose and Utility
- Helps States/UTs prioritise development interventions.
- Supports preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
- Identifies high-performing Panchayats as model learning centres.
Coverage and Framework
- Covers over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across India.
- Indicators span 9 thematic areas under Localization of Sustainable Development Goals: Poverty, Health, Child Welfare, Water, Environment, Infrastructure, Social Justice, Good Governance, Women’s Empowerment
Performance Classification
Based on composite scores, Panchayats are grouped into:
- Achiever (A+): 90 and above
- Front Runner (A): 75 to < 90
- Performer (B): 60 to < 75
- Aspirant (C): 40 to < 60
- Beginner (D): Below 40
Significance
- Promotes benchmarking and competitive federalism at grassroots level.
- Enables targeted policy interventions.
- Strengthens transparent, accountable, and data-driven rural governance.
“Women and Men in India 2025” Report
- Context: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, released the 27th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data” at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development”
About the Report
- Provides a comprehensive gender-based statistical overview.
- Covers key domains: Population, Education, Health, Economic participation, Decision-making, Violence against women
- Includes metadata for 50 indicators for better clarity on concepts, sources, and methodology.
Key Findings
Demographic & Health Indicators
- Sex ratio at birth improved from 904 (2017–19) to 917 (2021–23).
- Infant mortality rate declined steadily for both males and females (2008–2023).
Education
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- Gender parity achieved from primary to higher secondary levels.
- Gross Enrolment Ratio (Higher Education): Females: 28.5 → 30.2, Males: 28.3 → 28.9 (2021–22 to 2022–23)
Economic Participation
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased for both genders (age 15+).
- Rural female LFPR rose significantly from 37.5% to 45.9% (2022–2025).
Leadership & Employment
- Men in managerial roles increased by 73.8% (2017–2025).
- Women in managerial roles increased by 102.54%, indicating faster growth.
Significance
- Supports evidence-based policymaking.
- Helps design gender-responsive programmes.
- Promotes inclusive and sustainable development by highlighting evolving gender trends.
