The report provides a comprehensive evaluation of India’s states and Union Territories, ranking them based on their governance performance. This year, Maharashtra has secured the top position.

The SKOCH State of Governance Report 2024 presents a comprehensive overview of governance across various sectors in India, highlighting notable achievements and areas for improvement. The report categorises governance into diverse fields such as District Governance, Municipal Governance, Police & Safety and Power & Energy among others.

District Governance emerged as the most recognised category. This category underscores the critical role of local administration in implementing effective governance practices at the grassroots level. Municipal Governance follows closely, focusing on urban management and service delivery.

Police & Safety, crucial for maintaining law and order, reflecting efforts in enhancing public safety and security measures. Similarly, Power & Energy highlights advancements in energy infrastructure and management, essential for sustainable development.

Transport, General Administration and Rural Development categories underline the importance of efficient transport networks, streamlined administrative processes and targeted rural development initiatives. These sectors play pivotal roles in fostering economic growth and social equity across regions.

The report also evaluates specialised areas such as Education, e-Governance and Health, recognising initiatives that promote quality education, digital transformation in governance and improvements in healthcare services. Education and e-Governance, emphasising the integration of technology in education delivery and public service administration.

Table 1: Category-wise Projects Ranked

S/N	Category	Awards	Orders-of-Merit
1	District Governance	29	59
2	Municipal Governance	17	49
3	Police & Safety	17	33
4	Power & Energy	12	31
5	Transport	9	18
6	General Administrator	9	17
7	Rural Development	8	13
8	Ease-of-doing Business	7	12
9	Education	7	12
10	e-Governance	7	11
11	Horticulture	7	11
12	Health	6	14
13	Revenue	6	14
14	Co-operation	6	9
15	Water	5	11
16	Social Justice & Security	5	9
17	Agriculture	4	9
18	Skill Development	4	8
19	Women & Child Development	4	8
20	Finance	4	8
21	Finance	4	6
22	Tourism	3	6
23	Infastructure	3	4
24	Tribal Welfare	3	3
25	Warehousing	3	3
26	Animal Husbandry & Fisheries	2	5
27	Environment	2	5
28	Labour	2	5
29	Food & Civil Supplies	2	4
30	Culture	2	3
31	Urban Development	1	4
32	Sanitation	1	3
33	Housing	1	2
34	Geology & Mining	1	1
35	Sports	1	3
36	Handlooms & Textiles	0	2

Health highlights strides in healthcare accessibility and quality, critical amidst global health challenges. Revenue, Co-operation and Water sectors showcase innovations in revenue administration, cooperative initiatives and sustainable water management practices.

Social Justice & Security, Agriculture and Skill Development underscore initiatives aimed at enhancing social welfare, agricultural productivity and skill enhancement opportunities. These sectors address critical socio-economic challenges, promoting inclusive growth and empowerment.

Other sectors like Finance, Forest, Tourism and Infrastructure, though fewer in awards, indicate strategic interventions in financial management, environmental conservation, tourism promotion and infrastructure development, vital for economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

The report also acknowledges sectors with niche focuses, such as Tribal Welfare, Warehousing and Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, emphasising tailored approaches to address specific community needs and economic sectors.

The SKOCH State of Governance Report showcases a notable shift in the rankings of Indian states between 2023 and 2024. Maharashtra, which was ranked fourth in 2023, has risen to the top position in 2024, claiming the first rank. This significant improvement highlights Maharashtra’s continued progress in Agriculture, District Governance, Governance, Municipal Governance, Skill Development, Cooperation and Housing segments, solidifying its position as a leading state in governance.

Gujarat has surged from fifth position in 2023 to hold the second position in this year’s ranking.

Andhra Pradesh, which ranked third in 2023, holds onto its third position in 2024.

West Bengal show significant progress, with West Bengal moving from 7th in 2023 to 5th in 2024.

States like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir have shown steady performances, securing positions within the top 10.

Other states in the top-10 include Uttar Pradesh at the fourth position, Odisha at the sixth and Tamil Nadu at the eighth position. Uttarakhand registered a remarkable jump this year on the back of strong performances in Education, Infrastructure and Handlooms & Textiles, while e-Governance and Municipal Governance helped Himachal Pradesh secure its berth in the top 10.

Table 2: District Governance

S/N	State	Rank
1	Maharashtra	1
2	Jammu & Kashmir (UT)	2
3	Himachal Pradesh	3
4	Jharkhand	3
5	Chhattisgarh	4
6	Uttar Pradesh	5
7	Gujarat	6
8	Madhya Pradesh	6
9	West Bengal	6
10	Bihar	7
11	Kerala	8
12	Andhra Pradesh	6
13	Karnataka	9
14	Rajasthan	9
15	Uttarakhand	9
16	Punjab	10
17	Odisha	11
18	Arunachal Pradesh	12
19	Nagaland	13
20	Telangana	13

Evidence-Based Evaluation

The annual SKOCH State of Governance ranking is based on independent study and evaluation of programmes and projects at different levels of governance. The ranking is derived from outcome and evidence-based analysis of projects and programmes shortlisted from across the country from entries made by the implementing agencies since 2003.

This year, projects from across the country were shortlisted for deeper study and evaluation by a Jury, comprising of domain experts. The performance of each project adds to the weight in the ranking of a particular state. The weightage is derived from the outcomes and impact that each project has had on the targeted beneficiaries.

What Makes SKOCH Ranking Unique?

The SKOCH State of Governance methodology is designed to ensure a rigorous and multi-layered evaluation process that reflects both the quality and impact of governance initiatives across Indian states. It begins with states submitting their best-performing projects for evaluation. These projects undergo an initial round of vetting and shortlisting conducted by SKOCH’s team of research analysts, who assess their relevance, documentation and alignment with governance goals. The shortlisted projects then move to the first level of primary evaluation, where a jury comprising three domain experts assesses them for innovation, scalability, replicability and efficiency.

To ensure a differentiated and nuanced assessment, the methodology categorises projects into two types: new projects and ongoing ones. For new projects, the focus is on measuring the overall impact created, while for ongoing projects, the emphasis is on evaluating incremental improvement over time. This distinction allows for a fair comparison of initiatives at different stages of maturity. Simultaneously, a unique peer evaluation process is carried out, wherein project owners or officials working on similar themes evaluate each other’s work, thus introducing practitioner-level scrutiny into the scoring process.

Based on the cumulative average score from these evaluations, a cut-off is determined and a second shortlist of high-performing projects is prepared. These projects are then subject to field research, where SKOCH analysts conduct on-the-ground assessments to verify outcomes and gauge impact by engaging with beneficiaries and stakeholders. Additionally, to incorporate public perception, a popular vote is conducted exclusively among registered users on SKOCH’s platform, ensuring a credible and participatory layer of citizen feedback.

Projects that meet the cut-off move to the semi-final stage. These merit-listed projects participate in exhibitions and live polling, where they garner expert votes, which contribute to the final scoring. Each project receives a comprehensive score that combines domain expert evaluation, peer review, field feedback and public and expert voting. The aggregation of these scores determines both sectoral rankings and the overall State of Governance performance.

Ranking Categories

There have been impressive good governance initiatives from across the country. While in some states these are being implemented extensively across the government departments and organisations, in others, it is limited to a few departments. SKOCH’s endeavour has been to highlight the best practices from across the country. For a better understanding, the states have been classified into four groups.

Table 9: Ease-of-Doing Business

The states where projects have performed the best in terms of rankings and in the top-5 across different parameters have been classified as “STARS”. States ranked between 6-10 are classified as “PERFORMERS”, 11-15 ranked states are classified as “CATCHING-UP” and the remaining states are classified as “OTHERS”, ensuring a transparent, comparative and outcome-based framework.

Sectoral Performance

SKOCH State of Governance is the most comprehensive study of governance in India. Apart from presenting a comparative picture of states, the SKOCH State of Governance study also gives a comprehensive sector-wise analysis. The sectoral classification includes Municipal Governance, Sanitation, District Administration, Agriculture, Irrigation, Water Resources, Finance, Education, Power, Health, e-Governance, Transport, Tourism and Culture, Policy and Safety, Women & Child Development, Urban Development, Rural Development, Governance, Skill Development, Food & Civil Supplies, Infrastructure and Disaster Management.

Maharashtra Tops in Seven Sectoral Rankings

Maharashtra has gained the number one position in seven sectoral rankings in the SKOCH State of Governance report. The sectors include Agriculture, District Governance, Governance, Municipal Governance, Skill Development, Cooperation and Housing.

For the SKOCH State of Governance Report 2024, a total of 52 well-performing projects qualified for deeper study, out of which 8 were highly impactful and 15 were impactful projects.

Some of the highly impactful projects from Maharashtra are Mission SAKSHAM - Making Education Inclusive for CWSN from Zilla Parishad, Chandrapur; Per Drop More Crop (micro Irrigation) from Commissionerate of Agriculture; Mulberry Sericulture- Soil to Fabric Process Under One Roof from District Administration Jalna; Rent Management System from Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Brihanmumbai; Vatsalya Programme for Early Childhood Development from National Health Mission, Public Health Department; Smart Governance from Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation; and Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY 2.0) from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

The state of Maharashtra struggles with water scarcity impacting key crops like sugarcane, banana, cotton and paddy. To address this issue, Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) – Micro Irrigation scheme was implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). It was launched through MahaDBT Portal with and aim to enhance water-use efficiency by the means of promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation along with integrating Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and geotagging-based monitoring thereby ensuring transparency and efficiency in execution. As a result of successful implementation of this scheme, the year 2023-24, witnessed over 116,312 farmers adopting micro irrigation, which ultimately led to 40-45% water savings, increased yields and reduced input costs.

Gujarat tops in Health and Police & Safety

Gujarat topped in two sectoral rankings - Health and Police & Safety. Forty projects were shortlisted from Gujarat for final evaluation and assessment. Seven of them were found highly impactful and seven were impactful projects.

In the Health category, 3 Projects were found highly impactful. These are SHRBSK Health+: Digital Health Card for Every Student; Breaking the Silence: Free Cochlear Implant & Speech Therapy from the Commissionerate Health, Department of Health and Family Welfare; and, Heart Transplants At UNMICRC: Transforming Cardiac Care.

Department of Health & Family Welfare launched Breaking the Silence initiative in 2013, providing free cochlear implant surgeries and structured speech therapy for children under six. Under it, over 3,180 surgeries have been has successfully undertaken and performed, ensuring early intervention for improved language acquisition and social integration.

In the Police & Safety Category, 2 Projects were found highly impactful and 2 were impactful. Highly impactful projects are Project Devi and Mission Milaap. Project Devi, launched on 16 August 2023, aims to eradicate the superstitious practice of witch branding in Dang District of Gujarat, along with empowering the women affected by it.

Mission Milaap was launched on 1 August 2023, with the aim of tracing, recovering and reuniting missing persons. Valsad, a district in Gujarat, has faced the problem of missing persons for a long time, especially in the adolescents and migrant sub-groups.

The key outcomes of this project included recovering 162 minors and 510 adults within the first 15 months.

Andhra Pradesh Tops In Three Sectoral Rankings

Andhra Pradesh has topped in three sectoral rankings – Environment, Finance and Power & Energy. Twenty-eight projects were shortlisted from Andhra Pradesh for final evaluation and assessment. Four of them were found highly impactful and eleven were impactful projects.

These projects are Advanced Digital Integration for Energy & Account Management from Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation; Implementation of Automatic Vendor Online E-Payment System from Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO); and, Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park (1,000 MW) & Ananthapuramu-I Ultra Mega Solar Park (1,500 MW) from Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited.

In the Finance category, two Projects were found highly impactful. These are GST Mithra and Return Scrutiny Automation Tool (RSAT), from the Commercial Taxes Department.

The Return Scrutiny Automation Tool (RSAT) has revolutionised GST return scrutiny by automating the identification of 17 key tax discrepancies. 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.

Uttar Pradesh Tops In Three Sectoral Rankings

Uttar Pradesh has topped in three sectoral rankings – Water, Culture and Revenue. Twenty-one projects were shortlisted from Uttar Pradesh for final evaluation and assessment. Three of them were found highly impactful and eight were impactful projects.

Highly impactful projects are the Ganga River Rejuvenation Project (Namami Gange-State Mission for Clean Ganga) from the Department of Namami Gange and Rural Sanitation; Ramotsav Ayodhya: 2024 from the Directorate of Culture; and, AI-Based Return Scrutiny Notices from the State Tax Department.

The Ganga River Rejuvenation Project in Uttar Pradesh aims to restore the environmental health of the Ganga and its tributaries (1,025 km) through pollution control, sewage treatment, biodiversity conservation and community participation. The significant initiatives of this project include sewage treatment plants, industrial waste management, afforestation and eco-friendly riverfront development.

The Ayodhya Ramotsav 2024 was held from 14 January – 24 March 2024. It successfully achieved revitalisation of Ayodhya’s cultural heritage by attracting thousands of tourists, along with empowering 10,000 artists.

The AI-Based Return Scrutiny Notices Project, generated ₹309 crore in revenue from 4.36 lakh automated notices, in its first eight months. The state’s revenue grew by 19.17%, increasing from ₹40,451.78 crore (2022–23) to ₹48,204.37 crore (2023–24) (up to 30 November 2023).

West Bengal Tops in Ease-of-Doing Business and Horticulture

West Bengal topped in two sectoral rankings - Ease-of-Doing business and Horticulture. Seventeen projects were shortlisted from West Bengal for final evaluation and assessment. Five of them were found highly impactful and six were impactful projects.

Impactful projects are Distribution of Do-It-Yourself Kit for Protected Cultivation from Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture; West Bengal Artisan Enlistment Portal and Artisan Card from Directorate of MSME; Saksham Uttar Dinajpur from District Administration Uttar Dinajpur; Dashabhuja Ensuring Women’s Safety 360° from District Police Bongaon; and, Gyanalay Uttar Dinajpur from District Administration Uttar Dinajpur.

District Governance

In 2024, the ranking of states in district governance across India reflects notable advancements. Maharashtra topped the list, followed by Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, demonstrating strong governance despite challenges.

Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, tied in third, showcased consistent local governance improvements. Uttar Pradesh ranked fifth, with significant administrative reforms. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal shared the sixth rank, contributing distinct innovations. Bihar improved its district service delivery, securing seventh place, while Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand were tied in eighth and ninth for their focus on welfare and economic development. Punjab rounded off the top ten, emphasising community engagement and governance reforms.

Several exemplary district-level projects contributed to these rankings. Maharashtra’s digital governance, Jammu & Kashmir’s grassroots democracy and Himachal Pradesh’s sustainable development stood out.

Jharkhand’s welfare initiatives and Uttar Pradesh’s administrative reforms were pivotal, while Gujarat’s urban governance and Madhya Pradesh’s rural development made significant impacts. Notable projects like Mandi’s Daughter’s Empowerment Initiative, Chandrapur’s Mission SAKSHAM for CWSN and Khunti’s Sickle Cell Anaemia Day Care Centre reflect districts’ efforts to enhance education, healthcare and socio-economic empowerment.

These diverse projects highlight innovative approaches in district governance, ensuring inclusive development and improved service delivery across India.

Municipal Governance

The 2024 rankings for municipal governance highlight Maharashtra as the leading state, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in second and third positions respectively. Tamil Nadu secured the fourth spot, while Jammu & Kashmir (UT) stood fifth. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh followed in the subsequent rankings, with Gujarat and Odisha sharing the ninth position and Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh tied at the tenth spot.

The rankings reflect various innovative and impactful municipal projects being executed across these states, showcasing their commitment to urban governance and citizen-centric development. Maharashtra demonstrated leadership with projects like the Digital Education System by Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited and the Central Diagnostic Center in Sangli. Himachal Pradesh showcased significant achievements in waste management through the Waste to Energy for Solid Waste Management project by Municipal Corporation Shimla and Waste Management and Sanitation by Dharamshala Municipal Corporation.

Police & Safety

In 2024, Gujarat has secured the top position in the Police & Safety category, highlighting its robust initiatives in law enforcement and public safety. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal share the second spot, reflecting their strong focus on diverse safety measures and public welfare programmes. Himachal Pradesh follows at rank 3, while Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh also feature prominently in the top ranks.

Several innovative projects across these states showcase the progressive approach towards enhancing policing, safety and community engagement. Himachal Pradesh has introduced Animesh Netram and advanced rehabilitation programmes through its Prisons & Correctional Services. Uttar Pradesh has emphasised gender-sensitive infrastructure with its Modern Mahila Washrooms initiative and skill development programmes for prisoners in Ghaziabad.

West Bengal has made notable strides in women’s safety with projects like Dashabhuja Ensuring Women’s Safety 360° and strengthened cybercrime prevention through the West Bengal Cyber Crime Prevention & Response Team. Rajasthan has promoted community engagement via projects like Hello Mommies Programme and Lady Patrol Team (Udaipur) and Police Public Panchayat (Bikaner Range).

Telangana has digitised policing with its e-Petty Case System - Mobile App, while Uttarakhand contributes with its Operation PINK, focusing on women’s safety. Gujarat has implemented technological advancements in criminal intelligence through Rajkot’s CIMS (Criminal Intelligence and Monitoring System) and Valsad’s Mission Milaap.

Power & Energy

In the 2024 ranking for the Power & Energy sector, Andhra Pradesh has secured the top position, followed by Maharashtra and Gujarat, reflecting their proactive initiatives and robust infrastructure developments. The rankings highlight strong state-level leadership in renewable energy adoption, technological upgrades and digital transformation.

Andhra Pradesh stands out for its large-scale solar projects, notably the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park (1,000 MW) and Ananthapuramu-I Ultra Mega Solar Park (1,500 MW), implemented by Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd. Additionally, the state has strengthened its energy sector with projects like Advanced Digital Integration for Energy & Account Management and Automatic Vendor Online E Payment System through APGENCO, showcasing a combination of green energy expansion and digital innovation.

Maharashtra, ranked second, has demonstrated leadership through community-focused solar initiatives. Projects like Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana (MSKVY 2.0) and Solar Gram Yojana under PM-Muft Bijli Yojana, both executed by MSEDCL.

Gujarat (ranked third) continues to excel with large-scale wind energy developments managed by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), further solidifying its reputation as a leader in renewable energy diversification.

Other notable projects include Digital Transformation of DISCOM’s Commercial Operations in Tamil Nadu (TANGEDCO), SAMAST grid management initiative in Bihar and Drone Based EHV Transmission Monitoring in Odisha. West Bengal is contributing with Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV Power Plants in Schools, promoting sustainability and education synergy.

Transport

The 2024 state rankings in the transport category highlight Kerala as the national leader, securing #1 rank due to its innovative and citizen-centric initiatives. Karnataka follows at #2, recognised for its efficient public transport solutions. Tamil Nadu stands at #3, noted for its comprehensive urban transport management. Several states — Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha — share #4 rank, reflecting their commendable progress in diverse aspects of transportation. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra share #5 rank, while Uttar Pradesh stands at #6.

A variety of innovative projects have contributed to these rankings. Kerala’s Kochi Water Metro Project, implemented by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), stands out as India’s first water metro, integrating water-based transit with urban mobility. Karnataka’s Sarige Sanjeevini, run by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, offers emergency medical services on highways, enhancing road safety.

Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation’s E-pass System has streamlined passenger services, while Odisha’s Gramanchal Parivahan Seva ensures last-mile connectivity in remote areas. Himachal Pradesh’s Department of Transport has promoted electric vehicles and developed associated charging infrastructure, contributing to sustainable mobility.

General Administration

The 2024 state rankings on governance highlight Maharashtra as the leading state, followed by Rajasthan and a joint third position for Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Andhra Pradesh secured fourth place, while Goa and West Bengal shared fifth place. Gujarat ranked sixth and Kerala and Odisha jointly held the seventh position.

Several innovative and impactful projects contributed to these rankings. Maharashtra showcased two significant initiatives: Shasan Aplya Dari - Government At Your Doorstep, implemented by the CM Public Welfare Cell, enhancing citizen services; and, the Demarcation of FRL of Gosikhurd Project using VHRS & DRONE by the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre, showcasing the integration of advanced technologies for better resource management.

Rajasthan demonstrated excellence with e-Prosecution by the Prosecution Department, streamlining judicial processes and the Rajasthan Jan Aadhaar Yojana under the Rajasthan Jan Aadhaar Authority, simplifying public service delivery through unified identification.

Tamil Nadu’s LSFM CO₂ Emission Reduction Programme: Towards Net Zero by Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited reflects the state’s commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. Uttarakhand’s Accelerating Economic Growth and Fast-tracking SDGs by the Centre of Public Policy and Good Governance emphasises inclusive and sustainable development aligned with global SDG goals.

Andhra Pradesh’s Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen programme by the Department of Sainik Welfare underscores its focus on social welfare. Goa’s Swayampurna Goa Programme, implemented by the Directorate of Planning, Statistics & Evaluation, fosters holistic development.

Rural Development

The 2024 rankings for rural development across Indian states showcase Chhattisgarh at the forefront, earning the top position due to its impactful and comprehensive rural initiatives. Assam and Odisha follow jointly in second place, reflecting their strong focus on inclusive development and livelihood generation. Maharashtra secures third place, while Sikkim holds fourth, emphasising its consistent commitment to rural welfare. Jammu & Kashmir (UT) is ranked fifth and Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab and Uttarakhand share the sixth position, highlighting their continuing efforts in the rural development sector.

Several notable projects contributed to these rankings, illustrating the diversity and innovation in rural governance. Chhattisgarh leads with multiple initiatives including the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana spearheaded by Chhattisgarh Rajya Aajivika Samvardhan Samiti, focusing on skill development and employment and the Transformation of Lives: The Changing Era of PVTGs under the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihoods Mission, targeting the empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Odisha’s Market-led Livelihoods and Skilling, implemented by Odisha Rural Development And Marketing Society, emphasises market-oriented skill development and livelihood enhancement.

Maharashtra has contributed significantly with the Zilla Parishad Fund Monitoring System and the Liability Payment Register System, both managed by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, enhancing transparency and financial management at the grassroots level.

Assam’s Social Assistance Programme, managed by the Commissionerate of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development, supports vulnerable populations through targeted assistance.

Jammu & Kashmir’s Climate Change Mitigation for Swachh Teerth Mission for Amarnath Yatra 2023 demonstrates adaptive strategies for climate resilience. Finally, Sikkim continues its rural development journey through the Sikkim State Rural Livelihood Mission, fostering sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Ease-of-Doing Business

In the latest 2024 Ease-of-Doing Business rankings, West Bengal has emerged at the top, followed by Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. These rankings reflect the states’ commitment to creating business-friendly environments through innovative reforms, digitalisation and streamlined processes.

West Bengal’s leadership is underpinned by significant initiatives such as the West Bengal Artisan Enlistment Portal and Artisan Card and the Licensing for Manufacturing and Selling of Green Firecracker projects, both managed by the Directorate of MSME. These projects have simplified regulatory processes and supported local artisans, while also encouraging environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.

Gujarat continues its tradition of industrial excellence with the Investor Facilitation Portal, developed by the Industries Commissionerate, Government of Gujarat. This platform enhances investor engagement, ensures transparency and reduces bureaucratic delays, making Gujarat a preferred investment destination.

Assam has made remarkable strides, securing the third position, supported by its Ease-of-Doing Business (EoDB) reforms and the Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan (CMAAA) initiative. Both projects, implemented by the Office of the Commissioner of Industries and Commerce, are focused on empowering local entrepreneurs and simplifying industrial clearances.

Madhya Pradesh’s GIS based Land Allotment System by the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) leverages technology to provide real-time, transparent land allotment solutions, making industrial land acquisition far more efficient. Tamil Nadu, ranked fifth, has fostered innovation through the Nurturing the Biotech Ecosystem & Bio-entrepreneurship in TN project led by TICEL Biopark Ltd, promoting advanced biotech research and startups.

Education

In the 2024 education rankings, Uttarakhand has secured the top position, demonstrating significant progress through innovative educational initiatives. One of its standout programmes, Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana (DUY), spearheaded by the Department of Higher Education, focuses on fostering entrepreneurship among students, enhancing both employability and self-reliance.

Haryana and Sikkim share the second rank, each showcasing commendable reforms. Haryana’s QR and Alfa Numeric Codes on Question Papers initiative, led by the Board of School Education in Bhiwani, is a noteworthy digital innovation to ensure examination integrity and efficient evaluation. Sikkim’s Education Monitoring and Management Information System, driven by its Education Department, enhances real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making and transparency in educational administration.

At the third rank is Jharkhand, which has implemented multiple impactful projects. The PRAYAS-cum-Project Impact - NEP, along with Project Rail (Regular Assessment For Improved Learning), both under the aegis of the Jharkhand Council of Educational Research and Training, aim to align state education with National Education Policy (NEP) objectives, emphasising continuous assessment and learning outcomes.

Bihar, ranked fourth, has made strides through the Setup of ICT Labs in Government Schools, led by its Education Department. This project focuses on improving digital literacy and integrating technology into mainstream education.

Finally, Andhra Pradesh, placed fifth, continues to implement various teacher training and quality enhancement programmes such as the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), executed by the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education, aiming to strengthen faculty competence and pedagogical practices.

e-Governance

In the 2024 rankings for e-governance excellence, Telangana has emerged as the top-performing state, showcasing its sustained leadership in leveraging digital technologies for public service delivery. This achievement is underpinned by pioneering projects such as the Blockchain Enabled Seed Traceability (BeST) and iRASTE - Telangana, both spearheaded by the Emerging Technologies Wing, ITE&C Department. These initiatives demonstrate Telangana’s focus on integrating emerging technologies like blockchain and AI to enhance transparency, efficiency and public safety.

Himachal Pradesh secured the second rank, with significant contributions like the Litigation Monitoring System, implemented by the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance. This platform enhances judicial transparency and case management across the state.

Overall View of SKOCH Governance