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Measuring Performance: Ranking State Success over Two Decades in India

Author

Listed:
  • Afridi, Farzana

    (Indian Statistical Institute)

  • Dhillon, Amrita

    (King's College London)

  • Chaudhuri, Arka Roy

    (Shiv Nadar University)

  • Saattvic,

    (University of British Columbia)

Abstract

This paper proposes new composite measures of relative and dynamic state performance to improve governance and delivery of public programs in developing countries with a federal structure. We rank the performance of 19 major Indian states on two large development programs launched by the Indian government over the last two decades using publicly available data. Although we find volatility in performance over time, there exists a positive correlation between measures of state capacity, development and accountability with program outcomes. Our findings have important implications for both the design and implementation of public service programs of such large scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Afridi, Farzana & Dhillon, Amrita & Chaudhuri, Arka Roy & Saattvic,, 2021. "Measuring Performance: Ranking State Success over Two Decades in India," IZA Discussion Papers 14522, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14522
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    MGNREGA; corruption; accountability; state capacity; public good delivery; Indian states; ranking; PMGSY; convergence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning

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