Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: Sikkim holds the third spot in the 2026 Access Equality Index. The Himalayan state earned a score of 0.63 for its delivery of essential services. Goa claims the top position with 0.68, while Andhra Pradesh follows at 0.66. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana round out the top six.
The Centre for New Economics Studies compiled the data. Researchers measured 60 indicators across 23 categories. They focused on five key areas: basic amenities, healthcare, education, legal services, and socio-economic security. The findings prove that a state's bank account does not dictate its citizens' quality of life.
Andhra Pradesh outperformed its own economic standing. It grabbed second place nationally despite sitting at 13th for per capita income. It secured a score of 0.66, vastly exceeding the 0.51 predicted by the data. The state also led the pack in socio-economic security with 0.69 points. Kerala and Himachal Pradesh followed in performance efficiency.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu credited his team. He pointed to two-and-a-half years of targeted policy shifts. Naidu said, "The ranking reflected the governance measures undertaken by his government over the past two-and-a-half years." His administration focuses on attracting investments and building infrastructure. They are currently pushing cleaning efforts in towns and villages across the state.
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