NITI Aayog

About The Aspirational Districts Programme

Introduction

       The Transformation of Aspirational Districts Program aims to expeditiously transform 117 districts that were identified from across 28 states, in a transparent manner. Central to the programme are – Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central & State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts. Driven primarily by the States and instituted for the States, this initiative focuses on the strengths of each district, and identifies the attainable outcomes for immediate improvement, while measuring progress and ranking the select districts.

Areas of Focus

This programme is for overall transformation of the district using mass movement approach. Different districts have different strength and weakness and detail of district level plans would vary. At the same time, to keep the approach focused, the programme seeks to focus in following sectors as these are important for all districts

• Health and Nutrition
• Education
• Agriculture and Water Resources
• Financial inclusion and skill development
• Basic Infrastructure including access to road, potable water, rural electrification and individual household toilets.

Institutional arrangement for the programme

   The Aspirational Districts Programme shall is a product of collective effort in which States are the main drivers. At Government of India level, programme is anchored in NITI Aayog. In addition, individual Ministries have been given responsibility to drive progress of districts. For each district, a central Prabhari officer of the rank of Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary has been nominated. An Empowered Committee under the convener-ship of CEO, NITI Aayog has been notified to ensure convergence in schemes and address specific issues brought out by Prabhari officers. States have been requested to form a committee under Chief Secretary to implement the programme. States have also nominated nodal officers and also State level Prabhari officer.

Core Strategy

1. The core strategy in the program may be summarized as:
2. States as main drivers
3. Work on the strength of each district.
4. Make development as a mass movement in these districts.
5. Identify low hanging fruits by identifying the strength of the districts so that this can work as a catalyst for development.
6. Measure progress and rank districts to spur a sense of competition.
7. Districts to aspire: from becoming States’ best to Nation’s best.

Real Time Monitoring and ranking of districts

          49 Key performance indicators (81 data points) have been identified, in consultation with Ministries across sectors of focus. The dashboard is designed, developed, and maintained by the Planning Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The ranking of districts is dynamic and would reflect the incremental (delta) improvement made month on month. Some of the important data points are being validated by third-party agencies. NITI Aayog is partnering with two survey agencies, Tata Trusts and IDInsight in 76 and 25 districts respectively.

Formulation of district Plan

       NITI Aayog has developed a broad template for formulation of district plans. Since different districts have different opportunity and challenges, Districts have been advised to customize the template. They have been particularly advised to identify low hanging fruits/opportunities and make strategy for realizing them. In addition, a Primer comprising of steps to be taken to improve each of the indicators, compiled from the inputs received from respective Ministries, has also been provided to District Administration.

Achievements.

1. Jayashankar Bhupalpally district achieved TOP rank in entire country for implementation of program as on 25^th March, 2018.
2. Top rank in Education in Outcomes learning report by Govt. of India.

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