State of Governance 2022 Report Card

The Quiet Reinvention of the Indian State

India’s public institutions are undergoing a quiet transformation. Across sectors from railways and manufacturing to public health and defence, digital systems, predictive technologies and citizen engagement are reshaping governance. These innovations, often unfolding without fanfare, reflect a broader shift toward a more responsive, technology-enabled and citizen-centric Indian state

India’s public institutions are quietly transforming governance using AI disease prediction, digital passports, zero-waste festivals and electronic surveillance and warfare.

Inside a Bengaluru workshop, engineers gather around a milling machine. Though ordinary in appearance, its tool holder houses sensors that transmit data on torque, vibration and cutting force.
A software dashboard analyses the data in real time. A brief warning: vibration patterns signal imminent tool failure. Maintenance engineers act before a breakdown. Production stays on track.

In a Rajasthan cantonment town, municipal officials and residents walk narrow streets, discussing drainage, pavements and sanitation issues conducting spot meetings on the roads.

These scenes – one technological, one analytical and one deeply human may seem unrelated at first. However, together they capture a larger transformation quietly unfolding across India’s public institutions.

From defence laboratories and railway offices to research institutes and local administrations, governance is being re-engineered: digital platforms replace manual processes, predictive technologies alter decisions, welfare programmes become service infrastructures and citizens are drawn more directly into administration.

The change is subtle, often unnoticed. Yet in manufacturing, health, telecom, defence, education and urban management, India’s administration is adopting a model blending technology, scale, participation and sustainability.

Few institutions embody the scale and complexity of India’s administrative system better than Indian Railways. The railway network carries millions daily across 68,000 kilometers of track, linking villages with cities. It serves as a transport network, a logistics backbone and a major employer.

For decades, railways relied on paper records to manage personnel. Each employee’s career, from recruitment to retirement, was documented through files that moved between offices nationwide.

The scale is staggering: Indian Railways employs over 1.2 million personnel at thousands of establishments, workshops, stations and offices. The workforce is split into hundreds of cadres, each with its own rules, seniority and service conditions. Inefficiencies were inevitable. Files took weeks to move. Updating records demanded many verifications. Even routine requests like leave or transfers became bureaucratic.

Recognising the need for reform, the railways introduced the Human Resource Management System (HRMS), a digital platform that manages the entire employee lifecycle within a single, integrated system.

At its core, the platform uses the Person-Post-Place model: each employee is digitally assigned to a position and location, creating a real-time organisational map. For the first time, the railways can view their workforce structure dynamically, tracking vacancies, promotions, transfers and cadre strength across the network.

Paperwork now gives way to digital workflows. Employees apply for leave, view records and submit grievances online. Administrators efficiently spot staffing gaps.

The implications extend beyond efficiency. Digitisation introduces transparency and data integrity, enabling more informed policy decisions about recruitment, promotions and workforce planning. A unified digital platform shifts the organisation from reactive, paper-based management toward data-driven governance.

This push for digital governance is reflected in Konkan Railway Corporation Limited’s (KRCL) transformation. Once known for the engineering feat of the Konkan railway line, the organisation has evolved into a broader logistics and infrastructure enterprise. Passenger amenities – lounges, cafés and upgraded station facilities have improved, while freight operations now include container terminals and logistics parks.

If railways reveal the administrative scale of the Indian state, manufacturing innovation reflects its economic ambitions.

India has long sought manufacturing strength, yet many factories still rely on outdated machinery and fragmented processes. At the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru, researchers are attempting to bridge this gap through technologies associated with Industry 4.0. The idea is simple yet transformative: give machines the ability to communicate.

In many Indian factories, equipment operates in isolation. Production schedules, maintenance and quality checks are handled manually. When machines fail, breakdowns halt production and drive up costs. CMTI’s smart manufacturing solutions embed sensors and analytics directly into production equipment.

The multi-sensor smart tool holder monitors cutting forces and vibrations during machining. Analysing these signals enables predictive maintenance systems to detect early wear and prevent costly breakdowns.

Beyond operational improvements, these innovations advance the main argument: building indigenous industrial capabilities is part of the Indian state’s broader reinvention reducing dependencies and strengthening economic resilience.

Innovation in governance also extends into research institutions. At the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee, scientists are addressing a critical but often overlooked risk: structural collapse during building fires. Steel structures lose strength rapidly at temperatures above 500°C, posing a risk of catastrophic failure in high-rise buildings and industrial facilities.

To mitigate this danger, researchers developed a low-toxicity fire-retardant intumescent coating. When exposed to fire, the coating forms a protective layer that insulates steel structures, slowing heat transfer and giving occupants more time to escape.

Unlike many commercial coatings, the new formulation produces lower levels of toxic gases and smoke, two major contributors to fire-related fatalities.


The SKOCH State of Governance 2025 captures a moment of transition in India’s public administration. Conducted as an annual, project-level assessment, the study examines outcome-based initiatives led by central government ministries, departments, public sector undertakings and affiliated institutions. Unlike traditional reviews that focus largely on policy intent, the SKOCH assessment emphasises measurable impact, how specific projects improve governance, strengthen institutional capacity and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

This year’s assessment spans a diverse spectrum of sectors including digital governance, infrastructure, defence technology, disaster management, public service delivery and social welfare. The projects reflect a broader shift in the way government institutions operate: from manual, fragmented systems to integrated digital platforms; from process-driven administration to outcome-oriented governance; and from isolated departmental efforts to collaborative, technology-enabled solutions.

What emerges is a portrait of a state quietly evolving through experimentation and innovation. Across the country, institutions are redesigning processes, adopting indigenous technologies and building scalable systems capable of operating at national scale. While these reforms often unfold without dramatic headlines, their cumulative impact is significant.

Together, the central government initiatives featured in the SKOCH State of Governance 2025 illustrate how India’s public sector is gradually reshaping governance, making it more efficient, transparent and responsive.

Technological innovation is also transforming how governments respond to public health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in global disease surveillance: fragmented, slow-moving data often arrived too late for timely action.

At the AI & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, researchers are working to address this gap through a predictive health platform called PRISM-H. The system combines epidemiology, artificial intelligence, climate science and data analytics to forecast disease outbreaks.

It integrates datasets on infection cases, rainfall, humidity, population density and environmental conditions into predictive models that identify outbreak risks weeks in advance.

Instead of reacting to outbreaks once hospital admissions rise, authorities can begin preventive measures earlier. Mosquito control operations can be deployed in high-risk areas, sanitation drives can be intensified and hospitals can prepare for potential case surges.

In Karnataka, where PRISM-H has been implemented, the system monitors disease patterns across millions of residents. The initiative reflects a broader shift toward predictive governance, where data and algorithms help anticipate problems before they escalate.

Another area where technology is transforming governance is disaster management.

India faces frequent natural hazards, including cyclones along the eastern coast, floods and landslides in mountainous regions. Communicating early warnings quickly can dramatically reduce loss of life. Traditionally, authorities relied on SMS alerts to notify citizens of impending disasters. But such systems often fail during emergencies because mobile networks become congested.

To overcome this limitation, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) developed an indigenous Cell Broadcast system capable of sending alerts simultaneously to all mobile phones within a geographic area.

Unlike SMS messages, which are transmitted individually, cell broadcast uses telecom network control channels to deliver messages instantly. The system works across India’s diverse telecom infrastructure from 2G networks to the latest 5G technologies. Any phone connected to the network within the designated region automatically receives the alert.

With integration across major telecom operators, the platform now connects with more than 1.45 crore mobile tower cells, enabling nationwide coverage. The technology has attracted international attention, with pilot deployments in several countries.

Technological self-reliance is perhaps most critical in the defence sector. Modern warfare increasingly depends on the control of the electromagnetic spectrum communications signals, radar emissions and satellite transmissions. Electronic warfare systems capable of monitoring and disrupting these signals have therefore become central to military operations.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is addressing this challenge through Project DHARASHAKTI, an integrated electronic warfare system designed for the armed forces. The platform combines capabilities such as radar monitoring, cellular signal interception, satellite signal disruption and anti-drone technologies within a unified architecture. Developing such systems domestically reduces dependence on foreign suppliers while strengthening India’s strategic autonomy.

Innovation is also unfolding in India’s defence research ecosystem. DRDO’s D4 Counter Drone System, developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, integrates radars, RF sensors and laser-based neutralisation technologies to detect and disable hostile drones. The system addresses the growing threat of rogue drones used for surveillance, smuggling or attacks and has already been deployed for national security operations. Together, these initiatives show how small, focused interventions, whether civic, technological or strategic can produce outsized impacts in governance and national capability.

For many citizens, however, the most visible face of governance is not defence technology but every day public services.

Few services illustrate the transformation of government delivery systems better than the passport application process. Under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, citizens can apply for passports through a unified digital portal that integrates appointment scheduling, document submission and payment systems. Applicants can track their applications in real time, while AI-enabled chatbots respond to queries. The next phase introduces the e-passport, a physical document embedded with a chip containing encrypted personal data. The technology enhances security while enabling faster immigration processing.

Another example is the eMigrate portal, an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs aimed at transforming India’s emigration ecosystem. For decades, Indian workers seeking overseas employment navigated a fragmented, paper-based system vulnerable to fraud and delays.

The digital platform now connects emigrants, foreign employers, and recruiting agents within a single integrated system. It verifies employment contracts, enables online registration, and provides grievance-tracking mechanisms to protect migrant workers.

By embedding legal safeguards into digital workflows, the platform has streamlined emigration clearance processes and reduced the risks of exploitation faced by workers abroad. The portal illustrates how technology can convert regulatory frameworks into practical tools for citizen protection.

Digital infrastructure is also transforming access to knowledge. At IIT Kharagpur, educators and technologists developed the National Digital Library of India (NDLI), a platform that aggregates educational resources from institutions across the country.

Students can access textbooks, research papers, lecture videos and datasets through a single portal. With more than 12 crore digital resources, NDLI has become one of the world’s largest academic repositories. For students in rural and semi-urban areas, the platform provides access to materials that were previously difficult to obtain.

Governance transformation is not confined to digital technologies. In social welfare delivery, initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) network, operated by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, have established permanent service centres where individuals with disabilities can access assistive devices and follow-up care.

Instead of relying on occasional distribution camps, beneficiaries receive assessment, device fitting and maintenance in dedicated facilities. Around 100 centres now operate across India, serving hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries.

India’s cantonment boards, often seen primarily as military townships, are emerging as unlikely laboratories of civic innovation. In Roorkee Cantonment, authorities have implemented an integrated solid waste management system to reduce reliance on landfills and improve segregation at source. The model combines citizen participation with modern processing techniques, allowing organic waste
to be composted while recyclables are channelled into formal recovery streams.

Further south, Wellington Cantonment in the Nilgiris has piloted a “zero waste event” framework designed to eliminate single-use plastics and promote reusable materials during public gatherings. The initiative reflects growing recognition that even small administrative units can influence environmental behaviour.

In Belgaum Cantonment, meanwhile, urban planners have taken a different approach by restoring a neglected water body at Dhobi Ghat. The newly constructed lake serves both as a recreational space and as a water conservation measure.

Together, these efforts highlight a broader trend: cantonment boards, though modest in size, are becoming test beds for sustainable urban governance.

Under the initiative “Daastan-e-Samvidhaan”, the Nainital Cantonment Board set out to make the town India’s first “constitution-literate” cantonment. Instead of relying on classroom instruction, the programme took the Constitution to the streets.

Students performed nukkad nataks (street theatre), officials conducted door-to-door surveys and more than 2,500 simplified pamphlets explaining fundamental rights and duties were distributed among residents. Public spaces themselves became civic classrooms.

While Nainital focused on civic literacy, another hill cantonment faced a more tangible problem: water. In Jutogh, near Shimla, residents faced chronic shortages. Water supply depended heavily on external bulk supply from the Military Engineer Services, costing the cantonment `10-15 lakh annually while providing barely 62.5 litres per person each day.

The answer came in the form of e-Jal Jutogh, a fully automated lift water scheme introduced in 2024. Drawing water from a rejuvenated natural spring, the system uses automated pumps, IoT-based sensors and real-time monitoring to regulate supply. Multi-stage filtration ensures quality, while integration with the e-Chhawani digital platform allows residents to apply for water connections online. The transformation has been dramatic. Per-capita supply rose to roughly 135 litres per day, operational costs declined and the project began generating modest revenue for the cantonment.

In Landour Cantonment in Uttarakhand, administrators recognised a recurring issue: citizens, especially elderly residents in the hill town, found it difficult to travel to government offices to register complaints. Many grievances about sanitation, water, or streetlights never reached officials formally. The response was a digital feedback mechanism embedded within the government’s e-Chhawani platform. Through the Public Grievance Redressal module, citizens can file complaints online across categories ranging from garbage collection to construction violations.

Yet some of the most effective governance innovations remain strikingly simple. In Cantonment Board Nasirabad, Rajasthan, administrators launched Jan Samvad – Chhawani Prashasan Aapke Dwar, a participatory initiative bringing officials directly into neighbourhoods. Officials meet residents in ward-level gatherings and conduct “paidal yatras,” walking through streets to observe civic issues firsthand. Such initiatives rebuild trust between citizens and administrators while accelerating the resolution of local problems.

Such changes may not always command headlines. But they represent something deeper: the gradual modernisation of the state’s internal systems and public services. For a country of India’s scale and diversity, these quiet reforms may prove more consequential than grand announcements.

State Rankings

Highlights

  • Gujarat becomes number one nationally in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022.
  • Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh have made significant improvement in their rankings.
  • West Bengal, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh retained their positions.
  • Andhra Pradesh and Odisha maintained their place in top 5 club but slipped to fourth and fifth positions respectively.
  • Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Assam also slipped in rankings in 2022.

Ranking Categories

  • States are divided in four categories – Star, Performer, Catching-up and Other States.
  • Top five best ranked states are categorised as STARS.
  • The next five best ranked states are categorised as PERFORMERS.
  • Top five states that are below the rank of Performers are categorised as CATCHING-UP
  • The states that have not managed to find a place in STARS, PERFORMERS and CATCHING-UP categories are grouped as ‘Other States’.

Other States

RankState
16Kerala
17Jharkhand
18Uttarakhand
19Goa
20Tripura
21Punjab
22Himachal Pradesh
RankState
23Bihar
24Delhi
25Sikkim
26Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu
27Chandigarh (UT)
28Manipur

STARS

The top 5 best-ranked states are categorised as STARS. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha are the STAR states in 2022.

Rank 2022StateRank 2021
1Gujarat4
2Tamil Nadu17
2West Bengal2
3Rajasthan15
4Andhra Pradesh1
5Odisha3

Gujarat: Gujarat once again becomes #1 nationally after 2019 in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. Gujarat has been a STAR performer for the five consecutive year. The state has consistently been among the top 5 ranked states. However, there has been volatility in its rank at the top. The state was #2 in 2020 and slipped further to the fourth position in 2021.

West Bengal: West Bengal maintained second position nationally in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. The state has been among the top 3 performers for five consecutive years. West Bengal was number one state in 2018 nationally. It slipped to the third position in 2019 and continued in that position in 2020 as well. The state was at number two position in 2021.

Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu showed its best performance in 2022. The state climbed 15 steps to acquire the second position nationally in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state was at 11th position nationally in 2018, improved its ranking in 2019 and 2020 with 8th and 4th position respectively. Tamil Nadu slipped to seventieth position in 2021. That was state’s worst performance in the last four years.

Rajasthan: Rajasthan climbed twelve positions and ranked #3 in SKOCH State of Governance 2022 from the 15th position in 2021. The state was among the top-performing states in 2018 when it was placed in the 6th position. However, in 2019 it slipped to the 18th position and continued in the same position in 2020.

Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh slows down in 2022 and drops three positions to rank #4 in SKOCH State of Governance 2022 from #1 in 2021. The state was ranked in the second position in 2018. It slipped to the fourth position in 2019. However, Andhra Pradesh performed splendidly in 2020, acquired the number one position. The state maintained its number one position in 2021 as well.    

Odisha: Odisha maintained its place in top five club but slipped to fifth position in 2022 from #3 in 2021. Last year, Odisha entered the top five club for the first time. The state was ranked #13 in 2018, improved its ranking to the 10th position in 2019. In 2020, it climbed to the 8th position.  

PERFORMERS

The states that are ranked from the sixth to the 10th position are categorised as PERFORMERS.

Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have secured their positions in PERFORMERS category.

Rank 2022StateRank 2021
6Telangana6
7Maharashtra5
8Madhya Pradesh8
9Karnataka16
10Uttar Pradesh7

Telangana: Telangana retains sixth position nationally in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. In 2021, Telangana has significantly improved its ranking. It climbed to the sixth position in 2021 from the ninth position in 2020. Telangana was at number one position in 2016. It slipped to the second position in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Maharashtra: Maharashtra drops two positions to ranked #7 in SKOCH State of Governance 2022 from #5 in 2021. In 2020,  the state had slipped to the seventh position from the second position achieved in 2019. The state’s best performance was in 2019 when ranked #2 nationally.

Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh maintains eighth position nationally in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022.  The state slipped to the eighth position in 2021 from the fifth position in 2020. The state had made a huge improvement in its ranking in 2020 climbed six steps from the 11th position in 2019. Madhya Pradesh was ranked at the #12 in 2018.

Karnataka: Karnataka has made a significant improvement in its ranking in SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. The state jumped seven rank and reached at ninth position in 2022 from #16 in 2021. Karnataka has witnessed volatility in its ranking in the last five years. Karnataka was ranked at the fourth position in 2018. It slipped to the twelfth position in 2019. Karnataka improved its ranking in 2020 and entered in top 10 states.  

Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh has maintained its position in the top 10 states. However, it has slipped three places to the #10 in 2022 from the #7 in 2021.  The state ranked sixth in both 2020 and 2019. Uttar Pradesh’s best performance was in 2018 when it had acquired the second position.

CATCHING-UP

Five top ranked states/UTs below the PERFORMERS category are categorised as ‘CATCHING-UP’.

Five states/UTs that have secured a place in CATCHING-UP category in SKOCH State of Governance 2022 are: Assam, Jammu & Kashmir (UT), Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Rank 2022StateRank 2021
11Assam9
12Jammu & Kashmir (UT)13
13Haryana12
14Chhattisgarh14
15Arunachal Pradesh26

Assam: Assam slipped two steps and ranked #11 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. In 2021, Assam made a massive gain in its ranking. It climbed 14 spot to acquire the ninth position in 2021 from the 23rd position in 2020. Assam’s best performance was in 2019 when it secured the seventh position. In 2018, the state was ranked at the #10.

Jammu & Kashmir (UT): Jammu & Kashmir (UT) climbed one-step and ranked #12 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state registered massive improvement in its rankings in 2021 and it rose to the 13th position from the 25th position in 2020.

Haryana: Haryana dropped one step and ranked #13 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state ranked #12 in 2021. Haryana was at the 20th position in 2018. It rose to the 17th position in 2019 and further to the 14th position in 2020.

Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh maintained its position and ranked #14 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. Last year, the state climbed seven spots to reach the rank #14 in 2021 from rank #21 in 2020. In 2019, Chhattisgarh was placed at the 23rd position.

Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh has shown a significant improvement in rank and jumped 11 spots, ranked #15 in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. Last year, the state slipped six ranks to the 26th position in 2021 from the 20th position in 2020. Arunachal Pradesh was placed at the 24th position in 2018. It improved its rank to the 22nd position in 2019 and further to the 20th position in 2020.

OTHER STATES

The states and UTs that failed to secure a place in STARS, PERFORMERS and CATCHING-UP categories are classified as ‘OTHER STATES’.

The states/UTs that have improved their ranking during the year include: Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tripura, Sikkim and Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu.

The states/UTs that have slipped from their ranking in the previous year include: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Chandigarh (UT) and Manipur.

Rank 2022StateRank 2021
16Kerala19
17Jharkhand23
18Uttarakhand21
19Goa25
20Tripura27
21Punjab20
22Himachal Pradesh10
23Bihar11
24Delhi22
25Sikkim29
26Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu29
27Chandigarh (UT)25
28Manipur18

Kerala: Kerlagains 3 positions and ranked #16 in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2022. The state ranked #19 in 2021. Kerala was ranked #9 in 2018. It slipped to the #13 in 2019 and further to #15 in 2020.

Jharkhand: Jharkhand climbs to the #17 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022.  The state ranked #23 in 2021. In 2019, it slipped to the 19th position and maintained the same position in 2020. However, in 2022, Jharkhand gained six ranks to the 17th position.

Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand ranked #18 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state gained three positions from last year. Uttarakhand slipped to the 21st position in 2021 from the 13th position in 2020. Uttarakhand showed its best performance in 2018 securing the seventh position. The state slipped to the 16th position in 2019, but improved its ranking to the 13th position in 2020.

Goa: Goa climbed six spots to reach the #19 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. In 2021, Goa ranked #25 and #30 in 2020. In 2018, Goa was placed at the 24th position. The state gains to the 22nd position in 2019.

Tripura: Tripura jumped to #20 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state gained 7 position this year from last year. Tripura ranked #27 in 2021 and #24 in 2020.

Punjab: Punjab slipped to #21 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state ranked #20 in 2021. In 2018, Punjab secured a place in top 10. It was ranked at the 9th position in 2018. Punjab slipped to the 13th position in 2019. However, it climbed one spot to reach 12th position in 2020.

Himachal Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh falls 12 places and ranked #22 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. Last year, Himachal Pradesh climbed six spots to secure the 10th position in 2021 from the 16th position in 2020. In 2019, Himachal Pradesh was placed at the 14th position. It had also made massive gains in 2019 climbing to the 14th position from the 27th position in 2018.

Bihar: Bihar lost twelve places and ranked #23 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The State was placed at the 11th position in 2020 and it maintained that position in 2021 as well. In 2018, Bihar was placed at the 19th position. It improved its standing to the 15th position in 2019 and further to the 11th position in 2020.

Delhi: Delhi drops two positions and ranked #24 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. Last year also, the state fell five spots to the 22nd position in 2021 from the 17th position secured in 2020. Delhi was placed at the 21st position in 2019.

Sikkim: Sikkim gained four positions and ranked at #25 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The state ranked #29 in 2021 and #27 in 2020. Sikkim was placed #24 in 2019.

Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu (UT): Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu (UT) ranked #26 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022.

Chandigarh (UT): Chandigarh (UT) lost two places and ranked #27 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. The UT ranked #25 in 2021 and #26 in 2020.

Manipur: Manipur ranked #28 in the SKOCH State of Governance 2022. Manipur witnessed a loss of 10 ranks during the year. The state ranked #18 in 2021.

Sector-wise Rankings

Shift in Priorities of STAR States

Sectors with Enhanced Focus

Tourism & Culture: The share of tourism & culture in the total good governance initiatives taken by STAR states rose to 1.65 per cent in 2022 from 0.80 per cent in 2021.

Urban Development: There has been less focus on urban development related governance initiatives during COVID time when compared with the pre-COVID period. However, in 2022, the good governance initiatives related to urban development rose to 3.78 per cent from 2.4 per cent in 2021.

Power & Energy: The good governance initiatives related to power and energy in STARS category states rose to 6.38 per cent in 2022 from 4.82 per cent in 2021 and 3.86 per cent of the total initiatives recorded in 2020.

e-Governance: The good governance initiatives related to e-Governance in STAR states rise to 5.91 per cent in 2022 from 4.02 per cent in 2021 and 3.54 per cent recorded in 2020.

General Administration: The initiatives related to the general administration rise to 4.02 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 1.61 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 2.25 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the STARS category states were related to the general administration.

Municipal Governance: The good governance initiatives related to municipal governance in STAR states rose to 10.87 per cent in 2022 from 8.43 per cent in 2021. However, it remained lower when compared to 2020, when 14.47 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the STAR states were related to municipal governance.

Education: The good governance initiatives related to education in STARS category states rose to 6.15 per cent in 2023 from 2.41 per cent in 2020 and 0.64 per cent of the total initiatives recorded in 2020.

Health: The share of health in the total good governance initiatives taken by STAR states rose to 4.73 per cent in 2022 from 0.40 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 2.89 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the STARS category states were related to the health.

Sectors facing Downward Trends

Agriculture: Good governance initiatives related to agriculture have declined. In 2021, 5.22 per cent of the total goods governance initiatives in STAR states were related to agriculture. This declined to 2.84 per cent in 2022.

Ease-of-Doing Business: The initiatives related to the ease-of-doing business falls to 1.65 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 5.62 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 2.25 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the STARS category states were related to the ease-of-doing business.

Police & Safety: The second highest number of good governance initiatives taken in STAR category states in 2022 was related to police and safety. It accounted for 11.35 per cent of the total good governance initiatives. However, it falls from 13.65 per cent in 2021. In 2020, the focus is 23.79 per cent.

Water: Water related good governance initiatives accounted for 5.22 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the STARS category states in 2021. It fell to 3.55 per cent in 2022.

Transport: Transport related good governance initiatives in the STARS category states declined from 2.41 per cent in 2021 to 1.18 per cent in 2022.

District Governance: District Governance related good governance initiatives in the STARS category states declined from 31.51 per cent in 2020 to 14.46 per cent in 2021 and it declined further to 13.48 per cent in 2022.

Women & Child Development: Women & Child Development related good governance initiatives in the STARS category states declined from 2.57 per cent in 2020 to 2.41 per cent in 2021 and further declined to 1.65 per cent in 2022.

Shift in Priorities of PERFORMER States

Sectors with Enhanced Focus

Agriculture: The good governance initiatives related to agriculture rose to 2.25 per cent in 2022 from 0.78 per cent in 2021. However, it remained lower when compared to 2020, when 1.98 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the PERFORMER states were related to agriculture.

Urban Development: PERFORMER category states took a substantial number of good governance initiatives related to urban development. In 2021, 3.91 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the PERFORMER category states were related to urban development. It rose to 5.06 per cent in 2022. 1.49 per cent of the total initiatives recorded in 2020.

Rural Development: The good governance initiatives related to rural development in PERFORMER states rose to 2.81 per cent in 2022 from 1.56 per cent in 2021.

Health: The good governance initiatives related to health rose to 3.93 per cent in 2022 from 2.34 per cent in 2021. However, it remained lower when compared to 2020, when 4.46 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the PERFORMER states were related to health.

Municipal Governance: The focus in the PERFORMER category states has shifted towards municipal governance. In 2019, the second highest focus in the PERFORMER category states was on municipal governance. It stood at 13.37 per cent in 2019. The share of municipal governance in total good governance initiatives fell to 7.81 per cent in 2020 and rise sharply to 10.11 per cent in 2022.

General Administration: The initiatives related to the general administration rise to 3.37 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 1.98 per cent in 2020. In the 2021, no good governance initiatives in the STARS category states were related to the general administration.

Power & Energy: The good governance initiatives related to power and energy in PERFORMER category states rose to 8.99 per cent in 2022 from 5.47 per cent in 2021 and 1.49 per cent of the total initiatives recorded in 2020.

e-Governance: The good governance initiatives related to e-Governance in PERFORMER states rise to 10.67 per cent in 2022 from 3.13 per cent in 2021 and 7.92 per cent of the total initiatives recorded in 2020.

Sectors facing Downward Trends

Police & Safety: Police & Safety related good governance initiatives accounted for 18.75 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the PERFORMER category states in 2021. It fell to 4.49 per cent in 2022.

District Governance: In the first year of the COVID pandemic the maximum focus in the PERFORMER states was on district administration. It declined in 2021. In 2020, 44.06 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to district governance. This declined to 25 per cent in 2021. In the 2022, only 16.29 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the PERFORMER states were related to the district governance.

Ease-of-doing Business: The initiatives related to the ease-of-doing business in PERFORMER states falls to 4.49 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 5.47 per cent in 2021.

Tourism: The initiatives related to the tourism falls to 1.69 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 2.34 per cent in 2021.

Transport: The initiatives related to the transport falls to 1.69 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 3.13 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 7.92 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the PERFORMER category states were related to the transport.

Education: The initiatives related to the education in PERFORMER states falls to 0.56 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 2.34 per cent in 2021.

Shift in Priorities of CATCHING-UP States

Sectors with Enhanced Focus

Agriculture: Despite huge disruptions in the economy due to the COVID lockdowns and restrictions, the agriculture sector maintained positive growth. The growth of the farm sector was aided by innovative governance measures. 3.45 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in 2021 in the CATCHING-UP category states were related to agriculture. In 2020, it was just 3.17 per cent.

Labour: Labour related good governance initiatives accounted for 18.75 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the CATCHING-UP category states in 2021. It fell to 4.49 per cent in 2022.

Transport: Transport related good governance initiatives in the CATCHING-UP states increased from 1.37 per cent in 2020 to 1.59 per cent in 2021 and it rise further to 3.45 per cent in 2022.

General Administration: The good governance initiatives related to general administration rose to 3.45 per cent in 2022 from 1.59 per cent in 2021. In 2020, 2.74 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the CATCHING-UP states were related to agriculture.

Ease-of-Doing Business: The initiatives related to the ease-of-doing business rises to 1.65 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 5.62 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 2.25 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in the STARS category states were related to the ease-of-doing business.

Skill Development: The good governance initiatives related to skill development in the CATCHING-UP states rose to 4.6 per cent in 2022 from 2.05 per cent in 2020.

Sectors facing Downward Trends

District Governance: The focus of good governance initiatives during the COVID pandemic has been related to district governance. In 2020, 40.41 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the CATCHING-UP states were related to district governance. This falls to 33.33 per cent in 2021. It again falls to 25.29 per cent in 2022.

Municipal Governance: The initiatives related to the municipal governance in CATCHING-UP states falls to 1.15 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 6.35 per cent in 2021.

Rural Development: The initiatives related to the Rural Development falls to 3.45 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the CATCHING-UP states in 2022 from 6.35 per cent in 2021.

e-Governance: e-Governance related good governance initiatives in the CATCHING-UP states decreased7.94 per cent in 2021 to 5.75 per cent in 2022.  In 2019, 5.48 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the CATCHING-UP category states were related to e-governance.

Power & Energy: The initiatives related to the Power & Energy falls to 3.45 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in the CATCHING-UP states in 2022 from 6.35 per cent in 2021.

Shift in Priorities of States (overall)

Sectors with Enhanced Focus

Power & Energy: There was a sharp increase in good governance related initiatives in 2022. In 2020, 2.21 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to power and energy. It rises to 5.66 per cent in 2021. However, the share of power and energy in the total good governance initiatives again rises to 6.10 per cent in 2022.

Urban Development: Urban Development related initiatives have increased over the years. In 2020, only 0.86 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to urban development. In 2021, it rose to 2.26 per cent and it increased further to 3.05 per cent in 2022.

Health: There has been a sharp rise in health related initiatives. 4.76 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 were related to health. It increased from to 3.21 per cent in 2021. In 2020, health related initiatives were 4.31 per cent.

General Administration: In 2020, 2.83 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to general administration. It declined to 1.70 per cent in 2021. However, the share of general administration in the total good governance initiatives rose to 3.41 per cent in 2021.

Education: Education related initiatives have increased over the years. In 2020, only 1.35 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to education. In 2021, it rose to 1.89 per cent and it increased further to 4.15 per cent in 2022.

e-Governance: There has been a sharp rise in e-Governance related initiatives. 6.95 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 were related to e-Governance. It increased from to 4.15 per cent in 2021. In 2020, e-Governance related initiatives were 5.90 per cent.

Sectors facing Downward Trends

District Governance: The focus on District governance is declining continuously over a period of time. In 2020, 40.34 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken were of district governance. It declined to 20.75 per cent in 2021 and further decline to 16.34 per cent in 2022.

Police & Safety: Police & Safety related initiatives accounted for 12.92 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in 2020. It fell to 12.26 per cent in 2021 and declined further to 8.05 per cent in 2022.

Water: The initiatives related to the water falls to 2.56 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 3.77 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 3.08 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to the water.

Agriculture: Agriculture related initiatives accounted for 1.72 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in 2020. It rises to 3.21 per cent in 2021 but declined to 2.8 per cent in 2022.

Sanitation: Sanitation accounted for 3.81 per cent of the total good governance initiatives in 2020. It fell to 2.45 per cent in 2021 and declined further to only 0.12 per cent in 2022.

Ease-of-Doing Business: The initiatives related to the ease-of-doing business falls to 2.68 per cent of the total good governance initiatives taken in 2022 from 4.24 per cent in 2021. In the 2020, 0.74 per cent of the total good governance initiatives were related to the ease-of-doing business.

Transport: There was a marginal decline in transport related good governance initiatives in 2022. It fell to 1.71 per cent in 2022 from 2.64 per cent in 2021.

Comparison of States 2014-19 & 2020-22

SKOCH State of Governance – Research Methodology

  • Well performing projects are submitted by States for evaluation.
  • First round of vetting and shortlisting is done by our research analysts.
  • Shortlisted projects go through primary evaluation by a jury of three domain experts.
  • Overall impact is measured for new projects whereas ongoing projects are evaluated on incremental improvement.
  • At the same time a peer evaluation is carried out by those doing similar projects.
  • Based on an average score, a cut off is decided and a second shortlist derived.
  • Field research is done to evaluate impact through benefits received by intended targets.
  • These projects are put to a popular vote by registered users only on our website.
  • Based on cut-off, the projects qualify for semi-final Order of Merit.
  • Merit listed projects garner expert votes through exhibition and live polls to get an eventual score.
  • Each project therefore gets a comprehensive score. Total of these decide state and sectoral performances.
  • Top performers are STARS, states with commendable work are PERFORMERS, states that are making good efforts are CATCHING UP. Rest are others.

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