Uttarakhand performance in national SDG and export indices
Source:indiatvnews ↗
Why It Matters
This article provides a comprehensive summary of Uttarakhand's developmental progress, welfare schemes, and top-tier rankings in central indices (such as NITI Aayog's SDG India Index). It is highly relevant for UKPSC Prelims because topics like the SDG Index, Vibrant Villages Programme, Char Dham road network budget allocations, and local cultural landmarks frequently form the basis of state-specific examination questions.
Summary
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a press conference in Dehradun marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12 years in office. He highlighted major socio-economic and infrastructural achievements in Uttarakhand under the BJP's 'double-engine' government model. Key milestones discussed include Uttarakhand achieving top ranks in national SDG and Export Preparedness indices, the successful implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme in border areas, and the economic empowerment of over 2.54 lakh 'Lakhpati Didis'. Dhami also underscored major infrastructure projects like the Char Dham All Weather Road and Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link, alongside massive growth in spiritual tourism across Kedarnath, Badrinath, Adi Kailash, and Jageshwar Dham.
Key Points
- Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted the completion of PM Narendra Modi's 12 years in office, outlining significant developmental milestones achieved in Uttarakhand.
- Uttarakhand secured the top rank in both NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and the Export Preparedness Index, reflecting successful governance under the state-center 'double-engine' model.
- The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) has been successfully applied to the strategic border areas of Uttarakhand to build critical infrastructure and reverse out-migration.
- Over 2.54 lakh women in Uttarakhand have successfully transitioned into 'Lakhpati Didis' under state-supported self-help and livelihood schemes.
- More than ₹3 lakh crore worth of development projects are currently active in Uttarakhand, including the Char Dham All Weather Road, the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Project, and the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor.
- Spiritual and cultural tourism in Uttarakhand has experienced massive growth, with Char Dham recording over 3.5 million visitors so far, and Adi Kailash (Pithoragarh) experiencing a tourist surge from ~500 annually to over 40,000. Jageshwar Dham (Almora) has also observed a significant rise in devotees.
Important Terms
Vibrant Villages Programme
A central sector scheme targeting the comprehensive development of strategic border villages to enhance infrastructure, create livelihood opportunities, prevent out-migration, and strengthen national security.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Security/Border Areas); tests understanding of border area development, migration control, and territorial integrity.
Lakhpati Didi Scheme
A flagship initiative under the DAY-NRLM that empowers women in rural Self-Help Groups to achieve a sustainable annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh through skill training and financial support.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Welfare Schemes/Gender Issues); tests women's economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and self-help group-led development models.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index
A policy tool published by NITI Aayog that ranks Indian States and Union Territories on their progress toward achieving the UN's 17 global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Governance/Indices); tests subnational progress, cooperative federalism, and socio-economic development monitoring frameworks.
Export Preparedness Index
A composite subnational index released by NITI Aayog that evaluates and ranks the export readiness, ecosystems, policy environment, and performance of Indian States and Union Territories.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Indian Economy/Trade); tests knowledge of export-led growth, subnational trade barriers, competitive federalism, and logistics infrastructure.
Ayushman Bharat
A flagship national health protection scheme designed to provide cashless secondary and tertiary health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year to poor, vulnerable, and elderly households.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Issues Relating to Health/Social Sector); tests universal health coverage, public healthcare infrastructure, and equity in medical access.
Jal Jeevan Mission
A centrally sponsored scheme that aims to provide safe, adequate drinking water through individual Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to all rural Indian households, targeting 55 litres per capita daily.
UPSC context
GS Paper II (Social Justice/Basic Services); tests rural utility infrastructure, decentralized water governance, public health, and women-led management models.
PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi
A central sector scheme providing direct income support of ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments to all landholding farmer families across India to supplement their agricultural needs.
UPSC context
GS Paper III (Agriculture/Direct Subsidies); tests farmer welfare, direct benefit transfer (DBT) systems, and financial liquidity constraints in rural farming.
Prelims Trap
The Vibrant Villages Programme is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a 90:10 sharing pattern for Himalayan states.
VVP is a 100% Central Sector Scheme. Aspirants confuse it with the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), which features shared funding ratios.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the core pillars of NITI Aayog's Export Preparedness Index (EPI)?
- Policy Pillar: Evaluates the state-level regulatory framework and institutional mechanisms supporting trade and exports.
- Business Ecosystem: Assesses the quality of local business environment, regulatory ease, and financial infrastructure.
- Export Ecosystem: Examines export-specific infrastructure, logistics support, and industry-academia trade alignment.
- Export Performance: Measures actual quantitative export growth, diversification, and penetration into international markets.
What is the funding and coverage framework of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
- Funding Pattern: Classified as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% financial assistance from the Union Government.
- Geographic Scope: Focuses on select border blocks across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and UT of Ladakh.
- Nodal Ministry: Administered under the strategic aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs to arrest outbound migration.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Border Infrastructure as Strategic Defence
VVP links socio-economic development of border villages to national security, ensuring inhabited frontiers act as physical deterrents against territorial incursions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
SHG Evolution to Micro-Entrepreneurs
The transition from basic credit-linked Self-Help Groups under DAY-NRLM to the Lakhpati Didi model signals a policy shift towards sustainable, high-value asset creation for rural women.
Vibrant Villages Phase-II and its strategic differentiation from BADP are highly probable for a multi-statement UPSC Prelims question.
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
According to NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, which state/states has the highest SDG index score? 1. Kerala 2. Uttarakhand 3. Goa 4. Tamil Nadu
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
What is the score of Uttarakhand in NITI Aayog's SDG India Index, 2023-24?
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which programme was approved by the Union Cabinet in April, 2025 to develop border villages ?
- 2025UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1
As per Uttarakhand Budget 2025-26, the amount allocated for Char Dham Road network improvement is
