Himachal Pradesh has demonstrated remarkable progress in governance, ranking #9 in the SKOCH State of Governance (SOG) 2024.
The state has done exceptionally well in their Governance and welfare portfolio, improving the Governance rankings from 27 to 9, featuring among the top 10 states of the country.
The state submitted 20 well performing projects, with four in Police & Safety and three each in Municipal Governance and e-Governance with two being highly impactful and nine impactful in their working. The state excelled in Health reflecting the emphasis given to public welfare with its Health ranking improving from #9 in 2023 to #5 in 2024.
The state has shined in e-Governance, Municipal Governance, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Environment and Police & Safety. Additionally, e-Governance and Municipal Governance secured #2 ranks, while Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, District Governance, Environment, Police & Safety and Skill Development made strong comebacks at #3 nationally.
Himachal Pradesh’s growing emphasis on digital governance, public administration and infrastructure has positioned it among the top 10 states for governance in 2024. The impactful work of new entrant sectors of Revenue and Horticulture that ranked #4 and #6 nationally, reflects the state’s expanding good governance portfolio.
The improvement in good governance and welfare services as reflected by the high number of well performing and impactful projects is evident in its climb up. The comeback that many sectors have made, especially e-Governance, Municipal Governance and Transport are indicative of the direction that state going with the efficiency and dedication.
State's Performance in Different Sectors in Three Years
| Sector | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Governance | 2 | ||
| Municipal Governance | 2 | ||
| Animal Husbandry & Fisheries | 3 | ||
| District Administration | 3 | 17 | |
| Environment | 3 | 2 | |
| Police & Safety | 3 | 9 | |
| Skill Development | 3 | 6 | |
| Transport | 4 | ||
| Revenue | 4 | ||
| Health | 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Horticulture | 6 |
Animesh Netram
The Animesh Netram Project, launched on 22 March 2023, by the Himachal Pradesh Police, enhances policing in Lahaul and Spiti through CCTV, ANPR, ITMS, drones and e-office systems. It improves crime prevention, border security, traffic management and disaster response. The project ranked 4th in e-office implementation and managed 66,000 vehicles and 3.5 lakh tourists. Future plans include expansion to tribal areas, advanced digital training and scaling across Himachal Pradesh to strengthen technology-driven policing and public safety.
e-Governance System for Excise Function
The E-Governance System for Excise Function (HPEMS), launched by the Himachal Pradesh Excise Department in April 2023, modernises excise management by automating operations, enhancing transparency and preventing revenue leakages. It integrates 2D barcode tracking, Aadhaar-based e-signatures, mobile apps and CCTV monitoring for real-time compliance. Key outcomes include improved tax revenue, streamlined reporting and better stock traceability. Future plans focus on predictive analytics, training and scalability to other states, reinforcing technology-driven governance in excise regulation.
Promotion of EVs and Development of Charging Infrastructure
The Promotion of EVs and Development of Charging Infrastructure Project, launched on 1 January 2022, by the Department of Transport, Himachal Pradesh, accelerates EV adoption, Green Corridor development and sustainable tourism. It integrates charging stations, e-taxi subsidies and private sector investments, enhancing accessibility and reducing emissions. Key outcomes include increased EV adoption, employment generation and improved infrastructure. Plans focus on two-wheeler EV incentives, battery-swapping technology and scalability to other states, positioning Himachal Pradesh as a leader in sustainable mobility.
Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Female Drug Addicts
The Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Female Drug Addicts, launched on 29 June 2022, in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, addresses the growing issue of substance abuse among women. The 15-bedded facility has provided treatment to 367 female addicts through OPD/IPD services and organised 84 awareness camps, reaching 6,011 individuals, including students and the public. The center offers vocational training to promote self-sustainability and employs an all-female workforce. By focusing on detoxification, counseling and community reintegration, the initiative is a critical step toward mitigating the social and health impacts of drug addiction.
Waste Management and Sanitation Project
The Waste Management and Sanitation Project by the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation (DMC), initiated on 30 September 2021, under the Swachh Bharat Mission, focuses on improving urban waste management. The project has achieved 100% door-to-door garbage collection across 17 wards, supported by 250 Safai Sathis, 22 supervisors and 27 collection vehicles. It operates two Material Recovery Facilities (9 TPD capacity) and a 5 TPD biogas plant for dry and wet waste processing. Emphasising source-level segregation and efficient waste management provides a practical approach to urban waste handling.
Cy Station 1
The Cy Station 1 Project, initiated on 22 March 2023, by the Himachal Pradesh Police Cyber Crime Division, is a dedicated 24/7 cybercrime data center aimed at streamlining the response to digital crimes. It enables real-time registration of complaints, rapid freezing of fraudulent transactions and seamless coordination with banks through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The project has significantly reduced financial losses by ensuring timely intervention and resolution. Additionally, it promotes cyber safety awareness, benefitting over 1,000 external stakeholders and enhancing public confidence in digital security systems.
Modernising Prisons System
The Modernising Rehabilitation by Technology in Prisons System, launched in 2017, by the Himachal Pradesh Prisons & Correctional Services Department, enhances inmate rehabilitation, security and administrative efficiency. It integrates telemedicine, digital finance, e-courts and advanced surveillance to improve inmate well-being and security. Key outcomes include 11,813 virtual family meetings, digitised inmate records and enhanced legal access.
Figure 1: Sectors with Enhanced Focus - Himachal Pradesh
Daughter’s Empowerment Initiative (DaEI)
The Daughter’s Empowerment Initiative (DaEI) was launched by the District Administration of Mandi on 8 June 2023, under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme to combat the declining gender ratio and promote education among girls in Himachal Pradesh. The initiative integrates strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act with community engagement programmes to foster gender equality and holistic empowerment. It aims to improve the gender ratio, enhance educational opportunities for girls and challenge societal biases through targeted interventions.
To achieve these goals, the administration conducted awareness campaigns, educational initiatives and strict legal enforcement. Key strategies included Panchayat-level celebrations, exposure visits, scholarships for meritorious students and sports events. Additionally, enforcement measures were strengthened by collaborating with Health and Police Departments to curb illegal gender determination practices. A data-driven approach focused on areas with lower gender ratios such as Ratti, Sandhol and Kotli.
The initiative yielded positive results, increasing the 0-6 years gender ratio from 943 in 2022 to 947 in 2023. Awareness campaigns significantly improved societal attitudes and more girls participated in education and sports. Community involvement played a crucial role, leading to stricter enforcement and cultural shifts.
Waste to Energy (W2E)
The Municipal Corporation Shimla launched the Waste to Energy (W2E) Project on 13 December 2016, which manages municipal solid waste (MSW) using RDF-based gasification technology. It eliminates illegal dumping, generates electricity for 5,000 households and promotes sustainable waste management. Implemented through a public-private partnership, the initiative ensures compliance with environmental regulations and resource recovery. Plans include statewide expansion, bio-methanation integration and enhanced public awareness, making it a scalable model for urban waste management.
Litigation Monitoring
The Litigation Monitoring System (LMS) was launched on 1 July 2016 by the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance, Himachal Pradesh. It aims to modernise legal case management in the state. LMS integrates with the High Court portal, offering automated alerts, role-based dashboards and real-time case tracking. The system has enhanced efficiency, transparency and accountability, reducing litigation delays. LMS has resulted in enhancing paperless governance, cost savings and proactive legal action. It is now focussing on advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and IT literacy training.
