Panchayat Advancement Index
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Portal, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- This upgraded platform streamlines assessment by reducing the number of indicators from 516 to 147, improving data accuracy, simplifying reporting, and enabling more targeted decision-making.
- The PAI is a comprehensive, multi-sectoral tool designed to evaluate the overall development and performance of panchayats across India.
- It measures progress through nine thematic areas aligned with Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), including categories such as Women-Friendly Panchayat and Water-Sufficient Panchayat, promoting grassroots governance excellence.