Goa Tops Access (In)Equality Index

The 2021 Access (In)Equality Index (AEI), published by the Centre for New Economics Studies at O. P. Jindal University, ranked Goa first among India’s states and union territories for access to basic amenities, healthcare and socio-economic security. Goa scored 0.67, the highest score in the index.

Goa’s performance

Goa ranked second for access to secondary education. The index assessed access to healthcare, education, justice, socio-economic security and basic amenities, including drinking water, sanitation, housing and clean energy.

How the index measures access

The AEI considered affordability, geographical proximity, service quality and adequacy, and physical availability. It examined disparities across rural and urban areas, caste and gender. States were classified as Aspirants below 0.33, Achievers from 0.33 to 0.42, and Front-runners above 0.42.

Important Facts for Exams

• Constitutional education guarantee: Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen; the 2009 Act gives it statutory implementation.
• Public health directive: Article 47 makes improving public health a primary duty of the State, but Directive Principles are non-justiciable under Article 37.
• Legal-aid system: The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 created national, state and district legal-aid authorities, while also providing for Lok Adalats to support conciliatory dispute resolution.
• Constitutional division over water: Water supplies generally fall under State List Entry 17, while Parliament may regulate inter-State rivers and river valleys under Union List Entry 56.