UTs top performer in Social Progress Index; Bihar, Jharkhand at bottom

Puducherry has the highest SPI score of 65.99 in the country, attributable to its remarkable performance across components like Personal Freedom and Choice, Shelter, and Water and Sanitation

Four Union Territories (UTs) feature among the top-10 performers in the inaugural edition of the Social Progress Index (SPI) with Puducherry bagging the top rank. It is followed by the UTs of Lakshadweep (second), Chandigarh (eighth) and Jammu & Kashmir (tenth).

Among the states, Goa (third), Sikkim (fourth) and Mizoram (fifth) have found place in the top-10 pecking order.  

The index, released on Tuesday, has been prepared for the states, UTs and districts of the country by the Institute for Competitiveness and Social Progress Imperative. It was mandated by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM). 

The index uses 12