A Comparative Study of Human Development Index of Major Indian States

Abstract

The purpose of human development is creating conditions in which its people can live a long and healthy life. The Human Development Index is a composite index to measure the development of human resources in each country. The current paper attempts to examine the human development achievements of sixteen major Indian states for the period 1992-93 to 2005-06. For the calculation of Human Development Index (HDI) we have used six variables namely, Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for income index, literacy rate of seven years and above for education index and, a composite index of four variables; life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, complete immunization (Immunization of Child between 12-23 months old), and malnourishment (nutritional status of children under age three) for health index. Our study limits to only three time periods because the data for malnourishment is available only for 1992-93. 1998-99 and 2005-06. In computation of the HDI our main focus is on the health dimension because improvements in health and nutrition improve productivity and incomes and it also has positive effects on economic growth. Our results confirm the well establish findings of several other studies that states such as Kerala are amongst the best performing while the so-called BIMARU states (Bihar, MP, Rajasthan and UP) are laggards.