Month: April 2025

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Electronics & IT

Government of India Takes Measures for Digital Infrastructure Upgradation in Villages

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2117923)

Source: Government of India

42 Organizations publish 1459 write-ups under National Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2025

Impressive participation of the retiring employees in the National Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2025

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:04PM by PIB Delhi

At the behest of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, ‘Anubhav portal’ [https://pensionersportal.gov.in/Anubhav/] was launched in March 2015 for the retiring/retired central government officials to submit their experiences while in Government.

Thereafter, National Annual Awards Scheme was devised to incentivize and encourage the submission of the experiences. Till date, 104 Organizations have been registered on the portal and 59 Anubhav Awards and 19 Jury Certificates have been conferred to the outstanding write-ups.

National Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2025 was notified with major revamp. For the first time, apart from the employees of Central Government, employees of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) were also covered under the scheme to acknowledge their contribution in the nation building. Also, an objective marking system was put in place. As per the notified scheme, write-ups published from 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2025 were to be considered.

As on 22.01.2025, only 423 write-ups were published by 17 Ministries/Departments. To ensure maximum and widespread participation in the scheme, an outreach campaign was conducted by DOPPW from 23.01.2025 to 31.03.2025.

In this series, a workshop for the Anubhav Nodal Officers of Ministries/Departments including 12 PSBs and CPSEs was conducted on 23.01.2025 under the chairmanship of Secretary (Pension). A dedicated cell was established to answer the queries about the provisions of the scheme and process of submission of the write-ups. An informative video was also released and put up on the Youtube channel of DOPPW. Moreover, e-mails and SMSs were sent to eligible retired officers/officials. Role of the Anubhav Nodal Officers of Ministries and Departments was crucial during the outreach campaign; therefore, fortnightly meetings were conducted with them to review the progress.

These initiatives had a positive impact as the number of write-ups published on Anubhav portal increased steeply from 423 to 1,459 during the outreach campaign period.  It includes 124 write-ups from the senior officers from Level-13 and above. Further, due to outreach campaign, number of Ministries/Departments/Organizations whose employees have submitted their write-ups increased remarkably from 17 to 42, maximum in the history of Anubhav.

1,459 published write-ups will now be evaluated through a 2-tier process for finalizing the outstanding write-ups for 05 Anubhav Awards and 10 Jury Certificates, to be conferred in the upcoming Annual Anubhav Awards Ceremony.   

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117920) Visitor Counter : 60

Source: Government of India

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025

“Democracy Thrives on Constructive Conversations, Not Arguments” – Dr. Mandaviya

Adopt Nation First Mindset, Dr. Mandaviya Inspires Youth to Shape India’s Future

Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament is a Platform that Nurtures Future Young Leaders: Union Minister

Day 1 Witnesses 105 State-level Winners from across Country Showcase their Ideas and Perspectives

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:58PM by PIB Delhi

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the National Round of the 2-day Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament Festival 2025 in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse was also present on the occasion. The journey to this grand event began when the District Youth Parliament was organized from 16^th March 2025 to 27^th March, 2025. The winners of the District Youth Parliament-2025 participated in the State Youth Parliament from 23^rd – 31^st March, 2025 which were organised in many State Legislative Assemblies. A total of 105 State-level winners from across the country earned their place at the national stage.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, in his inaugural speech, highlighted that this year’s Youth Parliament has been integrated with the vision of Viksit Bharat. He emphasized the enthusiasm of the youth, noting that over 75,000 young individuals submitted one-minute videos to be part of this initiative. After rigorous selection at the district and state levels, the participants are finally gathered in the prestigious Parliament, a place where leaders and policymakers have shaped India’s present, he added.

Dr. Mandaviya encouraged young participants to adopt a ‘Nation First’ mindset, regardless of their profession. He spoke about the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament as a platform that nurtures future leaders, allowing young individuals to engage in meaningful discussions. He emphasized that democracy thrives not on arguments but on winning the hearts of citizens through constructive conversations. 

Union Minister praised India’s diversity, stating that despite its differences, the Parliament stands as a symbol of unity. Expressing hope for the future, he wished that many of the youth present today would return to Parliament as Members of Parliament or Ministers. He also underscored the strength of democracy, which provides equal opportunities to all, noting that in India, even a person from humble background can become the Prime Minister. 

Dr. Mandaviya advised young people to focus on taking a pledge towards Viksit Bharat and moving forward without worrying about the results. Concluding his address, he encouraged the participants to remain open to learning, stating that these two days would be highly enriching for those willing to receive knowledge and experience.

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse highlighted that the dialogues led by these young minds during Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025 will pave the way for India’s future. She emphasized the significance of this year’s Youth Parliament, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a Viksit Bharat, where the youth will not only contribute but also lead the nation toward progress. 

In her welcome address, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan emphasized that Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament 2025 represents our collective commitment to democracy and serves as a forum where young people from across the country can actively contribute to public policy.

The day began with a powerful Inaugural Ceremony, followed by opening remarks by the participants, which was judged by a jury comprising of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Sushri Shambhavi Chaudhary, Member of Parliament.

The event proceeded with the two Question Hour sessions, which formed the heart of the Youth Parliament experience. Each Question Hour session featured 18 teams participating: 9 teams representing MPs and 9 teams representing Ministers. The youth MPs raised insightful, policy-based questions, and the ministers responded with structured and detailed answers.

During Question Hour 1, teams discussed One Nation, One Election (ONOE), examining governance, administrative feasibility, political stability, and legal challenges, with insights from a distinguished jury, including Smt. Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, MP. Question Hour 2 focused on Viksit Bharat, where youth MPs debated youth empowerment, education, skill development, and sustainability, assessed by a jury comprising MPs Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu, Shri Dhaval Laxmanbhai Patel, and Shri Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

This was followed by an insightful master class on oratory skills by Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi, Member of Parliament. This master class provided participants with valuable insights into the art of effective public speaking, a crucial skill for leadership and parliamentary debates.

The Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament on Day 1 was a resounding success, which concluded on an inspiring note, setting the stage for an engaging and impactful second day of discussions, debates, and policymaking exercises.

The Day 2 will be followed with a visit to the new Parliament building, where they will witness live proceedings and experience the legislative process firsthand. This will be followed by a focused discussion on the One Nation, One Election, examining its potential implementation models, electoral dynamics, and implications for Centre-State relations. The agenda also includes a deliberation session led by a team representing the Ministry of Law and Justice, who will be initiating a motion in the house for voting. Later in the day, the National Youth Awards for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 will be presented, celebrating exceptional contributions to youth leadership along with the Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament Awards, 2025.

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Himanshu Pathak

 

(Release ID: 2117909) Visitor Counter : 98

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:57PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Government has been working towards establishing institutional mechanisms to foster the global mobility of Indian workers as well as students, academicians, researches, business persons etc. The Government has been proactively furthering the mobility for Indian workforce through diverse MoUs/agreements such as, Migration and Mobility Partnerships, Labour mobility and Labour Welfare Agreements, Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training with destination countries, which establish a robust framework for legal migration.

These agreements/MoUs seek to enhance global employment opportunities for Indian workers while protecting their labour rights, preventing irregular migration and supporting skill development.

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the aegis of MSDE, has trained a total of 23,254 candidates and certified 22,455 in the past 3 years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25) for international mobility.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has MoUs or Memoranda of Cooperation (MoCs) with seven countries, namely, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Qatar, Singapore and UAE, for cooperation in skill development and Vocational Education and Training. Focused on increased opportunities for Indian workforce, both domestic and global, these agreements facilitate technical exchanges, collaborative training programs, qualification recognition, and the sharing of best practices.

Further, with the efforts of MSDE, the New Delhi Leaders Declaration accepted by the leaders of G20 made a commitment towards developing an international reference classification of occupations by skills and qualification requirements to facilitate cross-country comparability and mutual recognition of skills and qualifications. The International Labour Organization (ILO) will be the agency undertaking this study.

It is the constant endeavour of MSDE to engage with different countries and facilitate gainful employment opportunities to the youth of the country. Accordingly, NSDC, under the aegis of MSDE, has undertaken a study of following 16 countries to understand their skill requirements:

Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Additionally, in line with the Budget announcement for the fiscal year 2023-24, MSDE has proposed establishment of 30 Skill India International Centres (SIICs) across various states. The SIICs are envisioned as centralized hubs for individuals seeking employment abroad. The overarching goal of SIICs is to establish a ‘Trusted Workforce Supply Chain’ ensuring fair and transparent skilled mobility from India. Currently, two SIICs have been established, one in Varanasi and another at SDI, Bhubaneswar and further 05 centres have been approved by Project Steering Committee (PSC).

This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on April 02, 2025.

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Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2117907) Visitor Counter : 86

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through ANRF Act of 2023, which was notified in February 2024. The ANRF aims to receive funds in the form of ANRF Fund, Innovation Fund, Science and Engineering Research Fund and Special Purpose Funds. A budgetary provision of Rs. 14,000 crores have been made from the Central Government and remaining amount will be sourced through donations from any other source, including from public sector enterprises, the private sector, philanthropist organizations, foundations or recoveries made of the amounts granted to ANRF, any income from investment of the amounts received by ANRF and all amounts with the Fund for Science and Engineering Research under the repealed Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.For the Financial Year 2024-25, ANRF has been allocateda Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs. 966 crores of which Rs. 721 crores has already been utilized.

Educational universities can obtain research grant through submitting research proposals in competitive mode under the different calls advertised from ANRF as per respective guidelines. So far, five calls have been announced: Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG), EV-Mission, Inclusive Research Grant (IRG), Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) and JC Bose Grant. Among these, the PAIR program aims to strengthen the research capabilities of higher education institutions, where research is still in the early stages but holds significant potential. This program pairs emerging institutions with established, top-tier research institutions in a ‘Hub & Spoke’ framework, providing mentorship and support. The objectives of the PAIR programme include: support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome; foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions; and propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research and (iii) facilitating infusion of best practices and research culture.

The PAIR program has earmarked a budget of Rs. 1,500 crores over five years, with each selected PAIR networkeligible for funding up to Rs. 100 crore. Of this, 30% of the funds will go to the Hub institution, while 70%will be allocated to the Spokeinstitutions. It is envisaged that the hubs in tandem with select spokes are expected to come up with competitive, impactful research proposals with potentially significant outcomes in the specified indicative themes.

In its first phase, the program is targeting universities that have demonstrated potential through national ranking and those that show promise for scaling up their research capabilities. The evaluation process for the proposals received under different ANRF calls is currently underway.

As on date, there is no plan of setting up regional centres of Anusandhan National Research Foundation in collaboration with education institutions, however, under a program, Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) which is designed to work in ‘Hub & Spoke’ framework, hubs will be set up across the country.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117881) Visitor Counter : 74

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme to attract, nurture and retain meritorious youth to study natural sciences areas at the college and university level and to pursue research careers in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences. The ultimate objective is to expand the R&D base of the country. It is implemented on pan India scale through four components. INSPIRE scheme’s component-wise salient features are given below:

INSPIRE Internship component of INSPIRE aims at providing exposure to the top 1% students at Class X Board level by organizing Science Camps either during summer or winter and provide opportunity to them to interact with science icons from India and abroad, including Nobel Laureates, to experience the joys of scientific pursuit. These science camps nourish the curiosity of students in science, help them to think out-of-the box and attract students at an early age of 16-17 years to choose science subjects for further studies.

Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)component of INSPIREaims to enhance the rate of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programs by providing scholarships and mentorship support. The scheme offers 12,000 scholarships of 5-year duration @ Rs 0.80 lakh per year to undertake Bachelor and master’s level education in basic and natural Sciences area for the top 1% talented youth as per central and state education board data in the age group 17-22 years.

INSPIRE Fellowshipcomponent of INSPIREaims to provide fellowship to M.Sc. 1^st Rank holders in Basic & Applied Sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary at the University/academic institute of national importance i.e. IITs, NITs, IISERs level examination as well as Inspire Scholars having secure 70% marks in aggregate at the MSc level who are eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program in any recognized university/ academic institutions in the country every year. The Fellowships are tenable for maximum 5 years (2 years as JRF @ Rs.37000/pm + HRA + Contingency grant of Rs.20000/annum and 3 years as SRF @ Rs.42000/pm + HRA + Contingency grant of Rs.20000/annum) or completion of PhD, whichever is earlier to pursue full-time Ph.D. program. Maximum 1000 INSPIRE Fellowships per year are tenable.

INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component of INSPIRE aims to provide opportunities to post- doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 year (the upper age limit for SC/ST/Women candidates and persons with benchmark disabilities is 37 and 42 years respectively) for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences area including engineering, agriculture, veterinary and medicine every year. Aspirants having Ph.D. degree with strong academic and research track record are considered on competitive basis. It grants an attractive fellowship for a duration of 5 years with a consolidated emolument of Rs. 1,25,000/- p.m. with annual increment of Rs.200 per annum and a research grant of Rs.7 lakh per annum. This scheme has motivated young researchers to pursue high-quality post-Ph.D. research within the country. Maximum 150 INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships per year are tenable.

The details of the number of students selected from the States/Union Territories during 2024-2025 till 27.03.2025 under the said scheme are given below:

S. No.	State/UT	INSPIRE-Internship	INSPIRE-SHE	INSPIRE-Fellowship	INSPIRE-Faculty Fellowship
1	Andhra Pradesh	530	5	11	0
2	Arunachal Pradesh	0	0	2	0
3	Assam	0	84	24	4
4	Bihar	0	172	6	1
5	Chandigarh	0	3	10	0
6	Chhattisgarh	150	421	13	0
7	Delhi	200	61	53	8
8	Goa	0	6	10	0
9	Gujarat	350	93	21	0
10	Haryana	0	66	7	1
11	Himachal Pradesh	450	138	7	1
12	Jammu and Kashmir	150	2	21	3
13	Jharkhand	0	23	5	3
14	Karnataka	150	60	46	16
15	Kerala	150	376	31	3
16	Madhya Pradesh	0	573	28	2
17	Maharashtra	200	198	34	8
18	Manipur	0	138	2	1
19	Meghalaya	0	49	1	0
20	Mizoram	0	13	4	0
21	Nagaland	0	9	1	0
22	Odisha	0	108	23	2
23	Puducherry	0	2	3	0
24	Punjab	550	61	30	2
25	Rajasthan	0	2879	9	0
26	Sikkim	0	0	2	0
27	Tamil Nadu	975	44	59	6
28	Telangana	450	31	36	4
29	Tripura	0	3	1	0
30	Uttar Pradesh	1200	5374	40	4
31	Uttarakhand	400	387	22	0
32	West Bengal	350	362	52	9

 

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117886) Visitor Counter : 72

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Scientists have developed advanced technologies for solid waste management, including plastic waste. Significant progress has been made by Indian researchers, institutions, and innovators in devising technologies and strategies to manage solid waste.

1. Various technologies have been developed for effective management of the solid waste. Some of these technologies are given below: –

• CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has developed a novel high-rate bio methanation technology for decentralized applications of sewage and organic solid waste. This technology is superior in terms of biogas and bio-manure production as it incorporates novel pre and post processing technologies required for the bio methanation of organic solid waste. This technology has been commercialized and is in operation.
• CSIR- Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has developed a decentralised solid waste management technology. The significant features of the technology include mechanized segregation system for biodegradable & non-biodegradable waste; Eco-friendly disposal of plastic waste through agglomeration process; Generation of bio-gas from organic waste and conversion of agro-waste into briquette. The technology has been transferred to industries for commercialization.
• Indian scientists have developed a technology to recycle the Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste to produce a high compressive strength Glass Foam Bricks, which are offering a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials.
• A robust mechanical separator has been developed to facilitate the efficient disassembly of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, supporting enhanced recycling and sustainability in the solar energy sector.
• CSIR- Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) has developed a technology for the bulk utilization of fly ash in the production of synthetic fine and coarse aggregates, which can replace conventional natural aggregates in construction, promoting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of traditional aggregate production.
• Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupathi and CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) has developed a technology for recycling of graphite from spent Lithium-ion batteries for high energy Li-ion capacitors.
• With the support of DST, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) has developed an indigenous non-pathogenic psychrophilic bacterial formulations and composting methods for accelerated composting of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste in cold regions.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has setup Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) nationwide, for sorting, processing and recycling of segregated dry waste .

2. Technologies developed for management of plastic waste:

• Department of Science and Technology (DST) through Waste Management Technologies (WMT) program, has developed and demonstrated a technology for conversion of municipal mixed plastic waste to high quality plasto-fuels for transportation and industrial heating applications. A 2-TPD (Tonnes Per Day) demo plant was setup at Vadodara. The plant is flexible enough to convert all kinds of mixed plastic waste collected from residential communities, railway establishments and industries.
• Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET)-Bhubaneswar has developed an eco-friendly technology for upcycling of different grades of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment to high impact grade plastics.
• Recycling of plastic waste into tiles: CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) has developed a novel technology to convert waste plastic scrap to floor tiles, interlock tiles, paver tiles, and roof tiles. The technology has been transferred to industry for commercialization.
• Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC) has established three Plastic Waste Management Centres (PWMCs) for effective plastics waste management solutions, to develop eco-friendly cost-effective value added recyclates and to establish digital demonstration facilities on plastic recycling and waste management.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Government’s initiative like Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has played a key role in improving solid waste and plastic-waste management, in both urban and rural areas. In October 2021, government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), with the overall vision of creating “Garbage Free Cities.” Under this mission, material recovery facilities (MRFs), waste-to-energy plants, and recycling units have been created which have led to an increase in the solid waste processing capacity by 1,05,876 TPD in the urban areas under SwachhBharat Mission Urban.

These steps reflect Government’s commitment to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical implementation, ensuring sustainable solid waste management and a reduction in plastic pollution.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117879) Visitor Counter : 78

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:38PM by PIB Delhi

A call for proposals (CFP) on “Geospatial Technology and Solutions” was issued on 13^th June 2024 through the Electronic Project Management System Portal (e-PMS portal), in which Proposals were invited only in consortium mode, comprising academia, startups/MSMEs/industry, and user-agencies/practitioners.

A total of 280 proposals were received under this CFP. The proposal titled “Spring Shed Management and linking of Ecohydrological processes to Human well-being in water-scarce regions of the Western Ghats using Geospatial Technology” was also received online under the above said CFP.  The proposal aimed to develop a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Spring Information System for selected districts of Western Ghats for assessing climate and land use impacts on watershed hydrology.

A Project Screening Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of an eminent professor and other Expert members representing, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Survey of India (SoI), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Universities, Other IITs, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), as well as from private sector etc. The total 280 proposals received online through e-PMS portal, were presented before the Project Screening Committee during its meeting held on 26^th–27^th September 2024 at IIT Delhi. The said proposal was not recommended by the Project Screening Committee for the next level as the committee opined that “The proposal seems to be more research focused lacking scalability and commercialization potential; the consortium partner appears to lack experience and/or expertise”. Out of the 280 proposals, committee finally recommended 11proposals for financial support.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117878) Visitor Counter : 76

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Science & Technology

NATIONAL MISSION ON INTERDISCIPLINARY-CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2117875)

Source: Government of India

Fiscal Health Index 2025

Mapping India’s State-Level Economic Resilience

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:42PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) initiative by NITI Aayog aims to evolve an understanding of the fiscal health of states in India. The FHI analysis covers eighteen major states that drive the Indian economy in terms of their contribution to India’s GDP, demography, total public expenditure, revenues, and overall fiscal stability. Odisha leads the Index, followed by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand and Gujarat. As states are responsible for approximately two-thirds of public spending and one-third of total revenue, their fiscal performance is important for the country’s overall economic stability. The report objectively evaluates each state’s fiscal health through a composite index, facilitating comparisons and benchmarking against best practices. The composite Fiscal Health Index has been developed using data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), covering the Financial Year 2022-23.

 

Objectives of the Fiscal Health Index

 

• To provide a comparative analysis of fiscal health across Indian states through standardized metrics.
• To identify areas of strength and concern in states’ fiscal management practices.
• To promote transparency, accountability, and prudent fiscal management through empirical assessment.
• To assist policymakers in making informed decisions aimed at enhancing fiscal sustainability and resilience.

 

Key Indicators Evaluated

 

The Fiscal Health Index 2025 is based on a comprehensive set of indicators that are grouped into five broad categories:

1. Tax Buoyancy Tax buoyancy is a ratio of change in tax revenue in relation to change in gross state domestic product or GSDP of a state. It measures how responsive a taxation policy is to growth in economic activities.

   Revenue Generation and Mobilization: Assessment of states’ own revenue receipts, tax buoyancy, and non-tax revenue generation.

2. Debt-to-GSDP The debt-to-GDP ratio is a metric that compares a state’s total public debt to its gross state domestic product (GSDP), indicating its ability to repay its debts, and is often expressed as a percentage.

   Expenditure Management and Prioritization: Evaluation of efficiency in expenditure allocation, prioritization of capital expenditure, and adherence to fiscal discipline.

3. Debt Management: Analysis of states’ debt-to-GSDP ratios, interest payment burdens, and overall sustainability of debt portfolios.
4. Fiscal Deficit Management: Measurement of states’ fiscal deficit as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and adherence to statutory limits.
5. Overall Fiscal Sustainability: Composite analysis of revenue, expenditure, deficit, and debt indicators to gauge long-term fiscal health.

 

Key Findings

Odisha leads the fiscal health index with a top score of 67.8, excelling in the Debt Index (99.0) and Debt Sustainability (64.0). It maintains low fiscal deficits, a strong debt profile, and a high Capital Outlay/GSDP ratio. Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6) follow, excelling in Debt Index and Revenue Mobilization, respectively. Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, and Chhattisgarh excel in non-tax revenue mobilization, averaging 21% of Total Revenue, with Odisha benefiting from mining premiums and Chhattisgarh from coal block auctions. Conversely, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala face significant fiscal challenges, including low expenditure quality, poor debt sustainability, and high fiscal deficits. States like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh allocate around 27% of their Developmental Expenditure to Capital Expenditure, while West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan allocate only about 10%. While top states excel in Debt Index and Sustainability, West Bengal and Punjab struggle with rising debt-to-GSDP ratios, raising concerns about debt sustainability.

 

Sustainability of Debt Portfolios Sustainability of debt portfolios refers to state’s ability to meet its current and future debt obligations without defaulting or requiring exceptional financial assistance, focusing on both solvency and liquidity.

• Top Performers: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Goa excel in Debt Index, Debt Sustainability, and Revenue Mobilization.
• Revenue Mobilization: Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, and Chhattisgarh effectively mobilize non-tax revenue (average 21% of Total Revenue).

• Debt Index The ratio of Interest Payments to Revenue Receipts (IP/RR) indicating the percentage of Revenue Receipts used for interest payment on account of outstanding debt.

  Aspirational States: Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala face fiscal challenges like poor debt sustainability and high deficits.

• Capital Expenditure: High allocation (27%) by Odisha, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh; Low allocation (10%) by West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan.
• Debt Concerns: West Bengal and Punjab face growing debt burdens and increasing debt-to-GSDP ratios.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Fiscal Health Index 2025 offers a valuable tool for assessing the fiscal performance of Indian states. It highlights the need for continuous monitoring, prudent fiscal management, and proactive measures to enhance states’ financial health. The Index underscores the importance of revenue generation, efficient expenditure management, debt control, and adherence to fiscal deficit targets for overall fiscal sustainability. The FHI report has been shared with all States/UTs to help them evaluate their fiscal performance across key indicators. States are encouraged to adopt sustainable fiscal practices suited to their economies and work towards fiscal prudence through appropriate state-level interventions

References

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/Fiscal_Health_Index_24012025_Final.pdf

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU5286_7JIvqM.pdf?source=pqals

Fiscal Health Index 2025

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Santosh Kumar | Ritu Kataria | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2117890) Visitor Counter : 41