NITI Aayog to Release First Delta Ranking under the Aspirational Districts Programme

NITI Aayog released 1st Delta ranking for 108 Aspirational Districts to measure their incremental progress across 5 developmental areas during 2 month period of 31st March to 31st May 2018 on 29th June, 2018. Following figure shows the indicators used in Delta rankings.

Indicators and Data Points
  • Total 49 key performance indicators were mapped across 5 developmental areas: Health & Nutrition, Education, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, Agriculture & Water Resources, & Basic Infrastructure.

Data for Delta Ranking by Districts

  • In 1st edition of Delta rankings, 108 districts out of total 112 had participated. Districts started entering data from 1st April, 2018 in “Champions of Change” dashboard.
  • Data entry by remaining 4 districts is in progress, though they are not part of this ranking.
  • Delta ranking was computed in transparent manner for combined improvements made during April & May 2018.
  • Some of data points were sourced from Financial Inclusion, Skill Development & 3 indicators of Basic Infrastructure - Household Electricity Connections, Household Toilets & Rural Drinking Water.
  • Most of the data points, however, have been self-reported by the various districts themselves.

Performance of Districts

Most improved aspirational districts:

  • Dahod, Gujarat: Rank 1st in Delta Ranking & 17th in Baseline Ranking
  • West Sikkim, Sikkim: Rank 2nd
  • Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu: Rank 3rd
  • Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh: Rank 4th
  • YSR, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh: Rank 5th
  • Asifabad, Telangana, Rank 100th in Baseline & Rank 15th in Delta ranking.
  • Bijapur, Chhattisgarh: Rank 6th in Delta ranking & Rank 45th in Baseline ranking.
Delta Rankings

Least improved aspirational districts:

  • Kupwara, J&K,
  • Begusarai, Bihar
  • Ranchi, Jharkhand
  • Simdega, Jharkhand
  • Khagaria, Bihar

listed as 1st to 5th aspirational districts, in least improved states.

Significance of Delta Rankings

  • Spur sense of competition among dynamic teams in aspirational districts.
  • Serve as tool to identify sectors & indicator specific challenges so that Team India, which is driving programme can take immediate corrective measures.
  • Ranking takes step further & looks into specific aspects of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & analyses how districts have performed across important sectors. This grouping & positioning will aid District Magistrates or Collectors to focus more on these sectors & improve their ranking in future.

Transformation of Aspirational Districts Programme

  • Programme launched in January 2018 aims to quickly & effectively transform some of most underdeveloped districts of country.
  • Programme envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on 5.
  • It focuses closely on improving people՚s ability to participate fully in burgeoning economy.
  • It seeks to bring these indicators in selected districts at par w⟋better performing districts in country.
  • Program focuses on strength of each district, identifies low-hanging fruits for immediate improvement, measures progress, & ranks districts.
  • It seeks to fulfil Union Govt. S SabkaSaath, Sabka Vikas initiative that aims to raise living standards of citizens & ensure inclusive growth for all.
  • Broad contours of programme:
    • Convergence of Central and State Schemes
    • Collaboration of Central, State level Prabhari Officers & District Collectors
    • Competition among districts driven by Mass Movement or Jan Andolan

Examrace Team at Aug 24, 2021