UPSC (2026) Prelims: Major NITI Aayog Indices 

NITI Aayog releases several indices to evaluate the performance of states and UTs in governance, development, and economic reforms. These indices are important for competitive federalism and policy benchmarking.

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1️⃣ SDG India Index

Full Name: Sustainable Development Goals India Index

Purpose: Measures progress of states/UTs toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Indicators

Covers areas such as:

• Health

• Education

• Gender equality

• Economic growth

• Climate action

• Institutions

Scoring

Range: 0–100

Category	Score
Aspirant	0–49
Performer	50–64
Front-Runner	65–99
Achiever	100

Important Fact

India’s score for 2023–24: 71 (Front-Runner category).

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2️⃣ Fiscal Health Index (FHI)

Purpose: Evaluates fiscal performance of states.

Key Pillars

1. Quality of expenditure

2. Revenue mobilisation

3. Fiscal prudence

4. Debt index

5. Debt sustainability

Important Fact

Fiscal Health Index 2026 expanded coverage to include North-Eastern and Himalayan states.

Top performer: Odisha.

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3️⃣ India Innovation Index

Purpose: Measures innovation capacity and ecosystem across states.

Parameters

• R&D investment

• Start-ups

• Human capital

• Knowledge output

• Business environment

Classification

Category
Major States
North-Eastern & Hill States
UTs / City-States

Key Insight

Innovation is concentrated in a few states such as:

• Karnataka

• Maharashtra

• Tamil Nadu

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4️⃣ Export Preparedness Index

Developed with the Institute of Competitiveness.

Purpose

Measures how ready states are to boost exports.

Pillars

1. Policy

2. Business ecosystem

3. Export ecosystem

4. Export performance

Importance

Helps states improve participation in global trade.

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5️⃣ School Education Quality Index (SEQI)

Purpose

Measures quality of school education.

Indicators

• Learning outcomes

• Infrastructure

• Teacher availability

• Governance

Objective

Encourage states to improve education quality rather than just enrolment.

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6️⃣ Health Index

Developed with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Purpose

Measures performance of states in health outcomes.

Indicators

• Infant mortality rate

• Maternal mortality

• Institutional deliveries

• Disease control

Categories

• Larger states

• Smaller states

• Union Territories

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7️⃣ Composite Water Management Index

Purpose

Measures efficiency of water resource management.

Indicators

• Irrigation

• Groundwater management

• Watershed development

• Drinking water supply

Importance

Addresses India’s water crisis and sustainability.

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8️⃣ Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index

Purpose

Evaluates states based on reforms in:

• Agricultural marketing

• APMC reforms

• Land leasing laws

• Contract farming

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Quick Comparison Table

Index	Sector
SDG India Index	Sustainable development
Fiscal Health Index	State finances
India Innovation Index	Innovation ecosystem
Export Preparedness Index	Export competitiveness
School Education Quality Index	Education
Health Index	Public health
Water Management Index	Water resources
Agricultural Reform Index	Agricultural markets

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Important UPSC Pattern

UPSC often asks:

“Which of the following indices are released by NITI Aayog?”

Remember these major ones:

• SDG India Index

• Health Index

• Innovation Index

• Export Preparedness Index

• Fiscal Health Index

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Easy Memory Trick

Remember “SHIFWEA”

S → SDG Index
H → Health Index
I → Innovation Index
F → Fiscal Health Index
W → Water Management Index
E → Export Preparedness Index
A → Agricultural Reform Index