Economic Survey 2021-22: Hindi Belt gets brighter in a decade

Night light data shows more electrification in northern and middle parts of the country

In 2012, India’s GDP per capita was Rs 74,600, while the GDP per capita had increased to Rs 108,000 in 2019-20. The pandemic brought down the per capita to Rs 99,694 per annum. While the per capita GDP increased 33 per cent in a decade, it does not reflect the growth which has taken place in the decade.

The Economic Survey analysis of night lights data shows which regions have benefitted the most from India’s development. As electrification reached more villages, India’s map indicates that the Hindi Belt benefitted most.

While Punjab and Haryana were already electrified, between 2012 and