Andhra Pradesh retains its position among the top three states in the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2024, ranking #3 nationally. The state’s governance model continues to emphasise sectoral leadership, policy efficiency and impactful project execution. A total of 29 well-performing projects were evaluated, with four categorised as highly impactful and eleven as impactful, reflecting its sustained focus on quality governance interventions.
From 2015 to 2024, the ranking has shown significant fluctuations, reflecting varying performance trends. The rank improved notably from 13th in 2015 to 1st in 2021, indicating a peak in governance or efficiency. However, a slight decline followed, with the position dropping to 4th in 2022 before stabilising at 3rd place in 2023 and 2024. This trend suggests initial rapid improvements, a peak and subsequent stabilisation at a high-performance level, possibly due to policy shifts, governance reforms or external factors.
The state has excelled in Finance, Power & Energy and Environment, securing the top national rank in these sectors. It has also demonstrated a strong recovery in Horticulture, Sanitation, e-Governance, General Administration, Transport and Water, indicating targeted policy corrections and strategic improvements. Municipal Governance and Power & Energy contributed the highest number of projects, reinforcing their role in the state’s governance framework.
As shown in Figure 1, the Power & Energy sector surged to 27.59% in 2024, marking a significant increase. Education, Sanitation and Finance showed steady growth, while Transport and e-Governance had minimal but consistent contributions. Other sectors, like Water and General Administration, maintained lower yet stable percentage over the years.
Despite these achievements, fiscal constraints pose a challenge for the state. The NITI Aayog Fiscal Health Index 2025 places Andhra Pradesh in the aspirational category, citing high fiscal deficits, weak revenue mobilisation and rising debt burdens. Addressing these concerns through enhanced capital expenditure efficiency and improved financial management will be critical to sustaining governance excellence.
For Andhra Pradesh to rise in the rankings in 2025, it must increase the number of well-performing projects and ensure greater district-level participation, while simultaneously strengthening its fiscal health to support long-term governance leadership.
State's Performance in Different Sectors in Three Years
| Sector | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | 1 | 5 | |
| Finance | 1 | 4 | |
| Power & Energy | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Horticulture | 2 | 3 | |
| Sanitation | 2 | ||
| e-Governance | 3 | 11 | |
| General Administration | 4 | 5 | |
| Transport | 4 | 3 | |
| Water | 4 | ||
| Education | 5 | 2 | |
| Municipal Governance | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| Police & Safety | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| District Governance | 9 | 12 | 8 |
e-LARRM and GST Mithra
The e-LARRM and GST Mithra initiatives represent significant strides in enhancing efficiency, transparency and compliance within governance and taxation systems.
e-LARRM, is a digital process for land acquisition, which is transforming Andhra Pradesh, using Blockchain for secure record-keeping and Aadhaar-based mobile apps for surveys along with government platforms like Webland and CFMS for real-time tracking. The system minimises delays, while ensuring compliance and reducing legal disputes ultimately improving overall efficiency, making it a model for other states to adopt.
GST Mithra, on the other hand, is an IT-based tool which automates the detection of discrepancies in GST returns thereby enabling taxpayers to self-correct errors and reduce compliance costs. In addition, by streamlining tax filing and offering real-time updates, it simplifies GST administration, encourages improved voluntary compliance which allows tax authorities to focus on fraud detection. The GST Mithra app has, despite its challenges in data accuracy and continuous updates, enhanced transparency, trust and ease-of-doing business thereby supporting fairer tax practices.
Malaviya Mission on Teachers and Teaching (MMTTC)
The Malaviya Mission on Teachers and Teaching (MMTTC) was launched on 15 August 2023, with aim to implement NEP 2020 in UG programmes across government and aided colleges. It envisages bridging the gap between education and employability through faculty training, skill labs and industry collaborations with JNU, University of Hyderabad, Microsoft and UNESCO. Under this initiative, 4,300 faculty members are trained, 100% quality internships and placements of students is ensured and median salaries are secured at of ₹35,000/month. It is recognised by UGC and AICTE, with the model now being considered for replication in other states to produce similar results and enhance vocational education and research excellence.
Bangarukonda – A Community-Driven Approach to Malnutrition
The Bangarukonda initiative, launched in June 2023, combats child malnutrition in East Godavari area by connecting trained volunteers (Balamithras) with malnourished children. They have, through weekly home visits, real-time health monitoring via mobile app and monthly nutrition kits, helped 650 out of 1,283 children overcome malnutrition in six months. The programme has gained recognition by fostering community responsibility, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and improving child health outcomes. Its behavioural and community-driven approach offers a sustainable model for tackling malnutrition across India, which had developed an active interest for its scaling and replication.
Implementation of Automatic Vendor online E-Payment System
APGENCO, a key power generation corporation in Andhra Pradesh, launched the Automatic Vendor Online E-Payment System to streamline vendor payments. This system, integrated with SBI’s H2H Utility and APGENCO’s SAP ERP, enables direct payments via NEFT/RTGS thereby cutting processing time from 10-12 days to just 15-minutes. APGENCO has improved vendor satisfaction and reduced manual errors by automating payment workflows and sending real-time notifications.
The system has enhanced operational efficiency and is being expanded to other departments and sister organisations, serving as a model for digital transformation in the public sector.
Centre of Excellence for Flowers and Vegetables, Kuppam
The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Flowers and Vegetables, Kuppam established under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project, introduced advanced farming techniques to improve crop productivity and water efficiency. The centre promoted grafted vegetable seedlings and hybrid marigold seed production, which boosted yields by 40-70% and increased farmer incomes. The project had an emphasis on technology transfer, farmer training and creating self-sustaining income through commercial seedling production. It has successfully empowered over 14,000 farmers, with possible future plans for expansion and replication throughout the country thereby enhancing sustainable agriculture.
Advanced Digital Integration for Energy & Account Management
The Andhra Pradesh Power Coordination Committee (APPCC) faced significant challenges with manual energy data entry, billing and payments, resulting in inefficiencies, errors and delays. In an attempt to resolve these issues, APPCC developed and implemented an online Joint Meter Reading (JMR) system integrated with SAP, enabling digital data collection and automatic invoicing. This shift eliminated manual data handling and reduced errors ultimately speeding up processing times.
The system was developed in phases from its inception in 2020 to full implementation by 2023 and its key objectives included enhancing transparency, improving operational efficiency and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The integration of JMR with SAP automated energy accounting, metering and settlement processes which streamlined workflows for both internal and external stakeholders. This transformation led to increased accuracy, accountability and collaboration between APPCC and APDISCOMs. This automation of invoicing and payment processing drastically reduced manual efforts, allowing for quicker account closures and timely financial checks. The project faced very few challenges, which also arose during implementation like adapting to regulatory changes and the formation of a new DISCOM. However, the project successfully revolutionised energy management and APPCC plans to further scale operations through Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology, ensuring continued efficiency and accuracy in energy transactions.
National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm
The National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) has played a pivotal role in boosting oil palm cultivation with the aim of reducing India’s dependence on imported vegetable oils. It covers 2.27 lakh hectares, functioning on a public-private partnership which provides farmers with seedlings, technical support and buy-back guarantees. The project has significantly increased crude palm oil production, contributing to 84% of national needs along with benefiting 1.74 lakh farmers. It also has plans for expanding that aim to reach 3.45 lakh hectares by 2030, promoting further economic growth, environmental sustainability and rural employment.
Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen
The project aims to address post-retirement employment, financial security and social integration challenges faced by ex-servicemen. The age of retirement in the armed forced is quite early (35-40 years) in comparison with other fields, this initiative provides structured support through employment drives, skill development programmes, financial assistance and legal aid.
Its major activities include job fairs, partnerships with corporations and government agencies for job reservations along with providing self-employment schemes backed by financial and technical assistance. They also have educational collaborations with universities and vocational training centres to enhance employability, while also directly providing financial support benefits to war-disabled soldiers, widows and orphans. An additional focus of the initiative is on resolving pension and land disputes through administrative advocacy.
This project has successfully placed over 500 ex-servicemen in government and corporate jobs along with supporting 1,200 of them in higher education and facilitating numerous self-employment ventures. The initiative does come with some avenues which require extra focus, such as stronger policy advocacy, increased corporate participation and enhanced public awareness. They do however, plan to establish AP Ex-Service Personnel Corporation (APEXCO) for sustainable employment and entrepreneurship. Overall, the initiative ensures a dignified and productive transition for ex-servicemen into civilian life by expanding vocational training and strengthening partnerships as well assisting fresh entrepreneurs.
APEMCL Online Waste Exchange Portal
The Andhra Pradesh Environment Management Corporation Limited (APEMCL) launched India’s first Online Waste Exchange Portal to revolutionise industrial waste management. This digital marketplace ensures safe collection, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste while promoting a circular economy and regulatory compliance.
The process of waste disposal faced many challenges such as hazardous material mixing, illegal dumping and lack of tracking, before its implementation. This portal however, introduced real-time vehicle monitoring, QR-based tracking and secure digital transactions, enhancing transparency and efficiency. Since its launch in 2022, it has managed 6 million MT of hazardous waste, 19 million KL of effluent waste and 85 million tons of fly ash, benefiting 3,500 industries.
The portal’s key outcomes include 100% safe waste disposal, increased recycling and improved regulatory oversight with plans involve AI-powered waste analytics and blockchain integration. The initial learnings also highlighted the importance of stakeholder training, real-time data utilisation and collaborative efforts. The APEMCL portal with its digital waste management feature and introduced an admirable and sustainable, technology driven environmental solution.
Figure 1: Sectors with Enhanced Focus - Andhra Pradesh
Investor Facilitation Portal (IFP)
The Return Scrutiny Automation Tool (RSAT), developed by the Data Analytics Centre of APCTD, has revolutionised GST return scrutiny by automating the identification of 17 key tax discrepancies. A task that would previously take a team of officers 4-5 days to accomplish, can now be completed in less than a minute with significantly improved efficiency, transparency and accuracy in tax administration.
It has allowed the department to scrutinise 8,700 cases to be processed in a single financial year as compared to the previous 2,525 cases, solely by eliminating human bias, integrating multiple data sources and ensuring data-driven decision-making. The tool has identified₹1,937 crore in tax deviations, securing₹293.5 crore in tax payments, along with additional amounts under adjudication.
RSAT is now being considered as a national model for automated scrutiny, especially because of its recognition by GSTN and CBIC. It’s future plans also include integrating third-party data sources such as RERA and Municipal Administration to further improve the scrutiny capabilities. This project also come with some challenges such as the need to continuously update and align GST amendments in the system, along with ensuring data quality which also features in their plans for refinement. RSAT’s scalability and bandwidth, which allows authorities to focus on wilful evasion rather than minor discrepancies, serves it quite appealingly.
Unified Ticketing Solution for APSRTC
The Unified Ticketing Solution (UTS) project has modernised APSRTC’s ticketing and operations through digital payments, real-time bus tracking and paperless travel. It has integrated web/app-based booking, QR code ticketing and dynamic fare structures, thereby improving passenger convenience as well as operational efficiency. The system’s centralised architecture supports cashless transactions, automated fare revisions and real-time synchronisation. UTS, with over 6 million external users, has increased online reservations and digital transactions while offering seamless ticketing and enhanced customer service. Its future plans include QR-based validation, digital bus passes and expanded tourism integration.
Transforming Grievance Redressal
Spandana is a one-stop grievance redressal platform launched in April 2021, which integrates 32 government departments to ensure timely, transparent and empathetic resolution of citizen complaints. It has multiple submission channels (call centres, online portals and physical offices) and has already processed 4.5 lakh grievances, achieving a 94.4% resolution rate.
The features of real-time tracking, field verification and citizen feedback ensure quality assurance.
The platform’s scalability and integration with CPGRAMS has demonstrated dedication towards efficient as well as compassionate governance along with enhanced public trust.
Ananthapuramu-I (1,500 MW) & Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park (1,000 MW)
The Ananthapuramu-I Ultra Mega Solar Park and the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park are two initiatives that have provided a tremendous contribution to India as well as Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy targets. Ananthapuramu-I Ultra Mega Solar Park, spanning 8,655 acres in Ananthapuramu region of Andhra Pradesh, contributes renewable energy up to a 1,500 MW capacity, reducing 1.29 crore tons of CO2 emissions from 2017-2024. The project overcame challenges in land acquisition, regulatory approvals and water scarcity through proactive planning and sustainable practices, including 100% rainwater harvesting. It generated over 2,250 jobs during construction itself and continues to provide long-term employment to equally high number of people.
The Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, located in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the world’s largest solar parks, with a 1,000 MW installed capacity. This project has played a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions by 1.33 crore tons. The park, developed on 5,700 acres of mostly barren land, integrated 100% rainwater harvesting for sustainable water usage.
Both these projects generated employment and contributed to local economy as well as infrastructure, showcasing efficient planning and execution of such large-scale projects. They also combined technical innovation with environmental and social responsibility reflecting the planners’ dedication towards sustainability and green energy.
