Tripura Tops Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0, Sets National Benchmark

Tripura Emerges as a Model of Local Self-Governance

Tripura has emerged as a national frontrunner in grassroots governance after securing the top position in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 . The achievement highlights the state’s strong emphasis on decentralised administration, transparency, and efficient service delivery , positioning Tripura as a benchmark for panchayati raj institutions across India.

National Recognition in PAI 2.0 Rankings

Announcing the results, Tripura’s Panchayat Minister Kishore Barman stated that Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in Sepahijala district secured the first rank nationwide , scoring 88.44 points.

The ranking placed it above nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats evaluated across the country under PAI 2.0, reflecting the robustness of Tripura’s village-level governance framework.

Sepahijala District’s Consistent Excellence

Tripura’s performance was not limited to a single panchayat. Two more gram panchayats from Sepahijala district featured among the top national performers:

• South Nalchar – ranked third with a score of 88.14

• Chesrimai – ranked fourth with 87.85

The concentration of top-ranking panchayats within one district indicates systemic administrative efficiency and uniform governance practices , rather than isolated excellence.

Statewide Transparency and Administrative Discipline

For the 2023–24 financial year , all 1,176 gram panchayats in Tripura achieved 100% data submission and verification across all PAI parameters. Such complete compliance is rare at the national level and underlines the state’s focus on digital governance, performance monitoring, and institutional accountability within the panchayati raj system.

Why PAI 2.0 Matters

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 is a composite performance assessment framework that evaluates gram panchayats on indicators such as transparency, service delivery, decentralised planning, financial management, and citizen participation. By excelling across these dimensions, Tripura has demonstrated how empowered local bodies can act as effective drivers of rural development and participatory democracy.

A Benchmark for Grassroots Governance in India

State officials described the achievement as the outcome of long-term investment in institutional capacity, training, and community engagement . By combining administrative discipline with citizen-centric governance, Tripura has positioned itself as a national model for effective panchayat functioning , offering valuable lessons for other states seeking to strengthen grassroots democratic institutions.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) measures gram panchayat performance across governance indicators

• PAI 2.0 emphasises transparency, service delivery, and decentralised planning

• Tripura achieved 100% data submission and verification in PAI 2.0

• Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee ranked first nationally

• Gram panchayats are the basic units of