Methodology v1.1

Rates, not totals

Every ranked indicator is a rate, share or per-person value, so large states don't win just by size.

Fixed goalposts

Each indicator is scored 0-100 between two fixed goalposts. The best end is a national or SDG target where one exists, otherwise the 97.5th percentile of state values since 2015; the worst end is the 2.5th percentile. Goalposts stay fixed for a methodology version, so a score only rises when the state's own numbers improve. Very skewed per-person values (income, exports, electricity) are scored on a log scale, as UNDP does for income, so going from 10 to 100 counts as much as from 100 to 1,000.

One period for everyone

Each indicator compares states on a common period when at least 80% of them report it (for example, everyone on NFHS-5 until NFHS-6 covers most states). Otherwise each state's latest value is used, and the period is shown next to every number. Values more than six years old are not used.

Pillars and the index

A pillar is the average of its indicator scores, computed only when at least 60% of its indicators have data. The Unnati Index is the average of the eight pillars, computed only when at least six have scores. Gaps are never filled in silently.

Ranks and bands

States are ranked within peer groups (large states; North-East and Himalayan states; Union Territories) and overall. Equal scores at one decimal share a rank. Bands follow NITI Aayog's: Achiever (100), Front Runner (65-99), Performer (50-64), Aspirant (below 50).

Progress

Earlier editions are recomputed with the same goalposts, using only data for periods that had ended by then, so 'most improved' compares like with like.

Changes

1. v1.1 · 5 October 2026

   The Inclusion pillar adds violence against women by their husbands, from the NFHS household survey, which counts violence that is never reported to the police. The Gender Equality and Social Progress indices use it instead of registered crimes against women, which are highest where reporting is easiest; the Safety Index keeps registered crime. All other goalposts are unchanged, so only this moves the scores: Andhra Pradesh moves from 8th to 9th among large states, and Assam falls from 50.0 to 49.3.

2. v1.0 · 4 October 2026

   First published version: fixed goalposts, eight equal-weight pillars.

Indicators and goalposts