India's best & worst states

Change is inevitable; it is truly the only constant. Often change is hard to detect, particularly in amorphous domains such as governance and development. Be assured though that India is changing, even if at a glacial pace. The Seventh India Today State of the States Report reveals that the gravity of growth is shifting to emerging geographies, even if gradually. Leaders are sliding, new challengers have come up, and laggards signal a desperate situation.

Punjab may have emerged as the best among big states for the seventh year in a row but it is no longer invincible. Himachal Pradesh is pushing the envelope of development and growth and could well be the best state next year. Just one parameter, Macro Economy- essentially how it manages its budget-shows the bipartisan commitment of the state to manage resources for growth. If it didn't make it to the top this year, it is primarily because of its geography and its inability to restructure its agriculture.