NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Index: Kerala retains first position

NEW DELHI: For the fourth consecutive time (2023-2024), Kerala has retained the first position in the Sustainable Development Index prepared by NITI Aayog based on 16 development criteria including poverty, education and standard of living. Kerala and Uttarakhand got 79 points each. Tamil Nadu is in the third position with 78 points. Bihar came last with 51 points. Among Union Territories, Chandigarh secured the first position with 77 points.

The states that came above the national average of 71 points are Goa, Himachal Pradesh (77), Punjab, Sikkim (76), Karnataka (75), Gujarat, Andhra, Telangana (74), Maharashtra (73), Mizoram, Haryana, Manipur(72) and Tripura( 71).

Kerala, which is ahead in the fields of education, gender equality, hunger eradication and energy, lags behind in the field of responsible consumption and production.

"Kerala tops India once again! With a score of 79 in NITI Aayog's latest Sustainable Development Index, Kerala remains first. This recognition reflects the Left Democratic Front government's commitment to social progress and welfare," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.