As per the first Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) report released in April 2025, which two states are leading with the highest number of “front runner” panchayats?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Gujarat & Telangana.
Explanation:
· The first Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for the Financial Year 2022-23 was released by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in April 2025.
· The "Front Runner" category consists of Panchayats scoring between 75 and 90 points, indicating strong overall performance aligned with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
· Gujarat led the category with 346 "Front Runner" Panchayats, followed closely by Telangana with 270.
· This ranking showcases the success of these states in strengthening grassroots governance and ensuring effective delivery of services at the local level.
Information Booster:
· The PAI classifies Panchayats into five performance categories: Achiever (90+), Front Runner (75 to below 90), Performer (60 to below 75), Aspirant (40 to below 60), and Beginner (below 40).
· No Panchayat achieved the highest rank, “Achiever,” in this baseline report.
· States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh had a significant share of Panchayats in the Aspirant category, highlighting areas needing focused development efforts.
Additional Knowledge:
· The PAI evaluates performance across 9 themes that correspond to the LSDGs, such as Poverty-Free, Healthy, Child-Friendly, and Good Governance Panchayats.
· The index aims to enable data-driven governance and evidence-based planning at the village level.