In a landmark achievement, Uttarakhand has entered the Top 3 States in the SKOCH State of Governance Index for the first time, marking a defining moment in the hill state’s administrative evolution. The 2025 assessment, covering the period from January to September, is based on a rigorous, outcome-oriented evaluation of governance projects across multiple departments. This recognition reflects the cumulative efforts of the state machinery to translate policy intent into measurable outcomes.

From Contender to Top Performer

From a modest position with limited project submissions in earlier years, the state’s 2025 score of 68.20 now places it among the top-performing states — a remarkable feat against larger and better-resourced peers such as Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

In the broader comparative framework, Gujarat leads the national chart with a score of 373.67, followed closely by Andhra Pradesh at 347.21. Uttarakhand’s climb into the top three is not merely a statistical milestone but a signal of deep administrative transformation.

Outcome-Based Governance

The SKOCH assessment is distinct because it does not rely solely on inputs or budgetary allocations. It focuses on outcomes, inclusivity, innovation and sustainability. For Uttarakhand, this meant aligning project planning and execution with tangible, on-ground impact.

Between January and September 2025, 16 projects were formally submitted for evaluation across nine departments, representing sectors such as urban development, education, environment, health and rural livelihoods. Though these submissions came from less than one-third of the total departments, their quality and impact placed Uttarakhand firmly in the top tier. The SKOCH report notes that “commendable performances may still remain unrecognised” due to non submission from several departments, signaling both untapped potential and room for growth.

Where Uttarakhand Shines

Several departments have emerged as key drivers of Uttarakhand’s governance transformation. Projects in urban management and environmental sustainability have been particularly notable — especially in waste management, sanitation and municipal service delivery. The emphasis on outcome validation through field assessments and beneficiary feedback helped establish credibility and effectiveness.

In education, initiatives focusing on digital learning and school infrastructure modernisation have strengthened the state’s performance. The rural development and cooperative sectors have also seen innovative submissions that link livelihood enhancement with ecological balance — a theme deeply relevant to Uttarakhand’s hill economy.

Call to Action

While Uttarakhand’s entry into the top three is a historic accomplishment, the journey is only halfway complete. The SKOCH dashboard analysis highlights a few critical gaps. With only nine departments participating so far, many departments are yet to submit projects for the 2025 cycle. These include well performing departments such as Agriculture, Cooperation, Disaster Management, Finance, Geology & Mining, Health, Labour, Power, Tribal Welfare, Water and Women & Child Development and so on. To sustain its top-three position, the state needs to increase its total number of submissions for a deeper study.

The SKOCH framework is not a one-time competition; it’s an ongoing process of improvement. To remain in the Top 3, Uttarakhand must now focus on three strategic imperatives:

1. Wider participation.
2. Strengthening outcome measurement.
3. Replication and scaling.

EMPOWERING HOUSING THROUGH INNOVATION

The Government of Uttarakhand has achieved a remarkable transformation in the housing sector through two complementary initiatives — Affordable Housing by Private Developer on Private Land by Uttarakhand Awas Evam Vikas Parishad (UKAVP) and the eASE App (One Stop Access to All e-General Services) by Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority (UHUDA). Together, they represent a convergence of policy innovation and digital transformation aimed at improving lives and governance outcomes across the state.

The Affordable Housing project emerged as a path-breaking response to Uttarakhand’s acute land scarcity and the growing demand for homes among the economically weaker sections (EWS). Implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) guidelines, the initiative facilitated construction of 12,856 EWS units across 15 projects, all developed on private land contributed by private developers at their own cost. The state acted as facilitator, ensuring statutory clearances, financing support and transparent beneficiary selection through an online portal. The model maintained affordability by fixing sale prices and providing access to loans through cooperative banks. Achieving 80% physical progress by mid-2025, the project stands as a replicable model of inclusive urban development, successfully integrating social welfare with private enterprise and sound governance.

Complementing this, UHUDA’s eASE App has revolutionised administrative efficiency by bringing all urban development authorities under a single integrated digital platform. Implemented in 2020, it introduced automation in building plan approvals, grievance redressal, RTI management, HR systems and project monitoring across departments. The system’s auto-scrutiny, auto escalation and deemed-approval features drastically reduced delays, ensuring transparent and time-bound service delivery. With 12 functional modules, 24×7 helpdesk support and real-time MIS dashboards, the app enhanced both citizen satisfaction and institutional accountability.

Together, these initiatives encapsulate Uttarakhand’s broader vision: to make housing both accessible and efficiently governed. While UKAVP’s project provides a sustainable housing solution for thousands of low- income families, UHUDA’s eASE App ensures that such development is backed by transparent, data-driven and citizen-centric governance. Both stand as models of innovation delivering tangible social impact.