ISBN: 978-93-94174-93-1

District-Level Assessment of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 1.0 in Odisha: A Descriptive Statistical Analysis of Localized Sustainable Development Goals

Faculty in Rural Statistics, State institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Odisha, India

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 1.0, developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, serves as a comprehensive framework for assessing the performance of Gram Panchayats in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). This chapter presents a district-wise analysis of Panchayat performance across Odisha for the year 2022–23, focusing on five key thematic dimensions: Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods Village, Healthy Village, Child-Friendly Village, Water-Sufficient Village, and Clean and Green Village. Using a descriptive statistical approach, the study evaluates Panchayat performance through measures such as mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values, enabling a detailed assessment of development patterns, disparities, and achievements across districts. The findings reveal considerable inter-district variation in overall Panchayat advancement. Districts such as Ganjam, Jajpur, Sundargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sonepur, and Boudh emerged as high performers, demonstrating balanced progress across multiple development dimensions. In contrast, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur exhibited relatively lower performance, indicating persistent developmental challenges. The analysis highlights significant achievements in rural health, child welfare, and livelihood enhancement, reflecting the positive impact of government initiatives including the National Health Mission, MGNREGA, Mission Shakti, and the National Rural Livelihood Mission. However, water resource management and environmental sustainability remain critical areas of concern, particularly in relation to groundwater conservation, waste management, afforestation, and climate resilience. The chapter underscores the importance of evidence-based planning, targeted policy interventions, and strengthened local governance mechanisms to address regional disparities and accelerate rural transformation. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, administrators, and development practitioners committed to achieving inclusive, sustainable, and equitable rural development in Odisha.

*Corresponding author; e-mail: lubnasadiyah@gmail.com

Cite this Chapter: Srinibasa Sahoo. 2026. District-Level Assessment of Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 1.0 in Odisha: A Descriptive Statistical Analysis of Localized Sustainable Development Goals. In: Dr. Lubna Suraiya Dr. P. Kanchana (Eds.). Commerce Reimagined: The Future of Trade and Transactions (Vol-IV). Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 69-90. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-93-1_4_5