AP ranks 2nd in Access Equality Index

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh has secured the second position among 28 states in the Access Equality Index (AEI) 2026, with a score of 0.66, emerging as the country’s top-performing large state. Goa topped the rankings with 0.68, followed by Sikkim at 0.63, Kerala at 0.60, and Tamil Nadu and Telangana at 0.57 each.

The index, prepared by the Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES) at OP Jindal Global University, assesses how effectively states translate their economic resources into access to essential services and opportunities for people.

Responding to the report on Monday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the ranking reflected the governance delivered by his government over the past two-and-a-half years. The study classified Andhra Pradesh as a 'Front Runner' state.

The assessment covers five parameters: basic infrastructure, healthcare, education, socio-economic security and legal services. It uses 60 indicators across 23 categories, assigning equal weightage to the five parameters.

Andhra Pradesh secured the top position nationally in socio-economic security, scoring 0.69 against Goa’s 0.50. The state also figured among the leading performers in the other four categories.

A key finding is the gap between the state's income ranking and its performance in providing opportunities. Andhra Pradesh ranked 13th in per capita income and stood second in the overall access index. Its income-based expected access score was 0.51, against an actual score of 0.66 - a positive difference of 0.15 points, the highest among states. Kerala followed with 0.07 and Himachal Pradesh with 0.06.

The index examines access to drinking water, sanitation, housing, clean energy, healthcare, education, employment, banking, insurance, pensions and legal services.

Naidu said the government was working to attract investments and generate wealth while ensuring that people benefited through welfare, development and better governance. He said the focus was on extending essential services and opportunities to every region and section of society, from individual households to community infrastructure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K Varaprasada Rao

K Varaprasada Rao[email protected]

K Varaprasada Rao is a Senior Reporter with The Hans India, covering the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), State Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council and political affairs. With over 20 years of experience in journalism in Andhra Pradesh, he has extensively reported on governance, public policy, politics, and socio-economic issues that shape the state's development and influence the country's evolving landscape. He holds a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. His reporting focuses on finance, industries, irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, public administration, and political developments, with a particular interest in analysing their long-term economic and social impact.

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