Karnataka is first in the Panchayat Raj system’s Devolution Index.

• Karnataka ranks first in the Devolution Index (DI) among Indian states, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• The report, titled ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States–An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking’ (2024), reveals commendable performance across all identified metrics.

• The state has a score of 72.23 in the overall DI and six key dimensions: framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, and accountability.

• Kerala leads in the ‘Framework’ dimension with a score of 83.56, followed by Karnataka and Haryana.

• Tamil Nadu leads in the ‘Functions’ dimension with an index value of 60.24.

• Karnataka secures the top place in the ‘Finances’ dimension with a score of 70.65.

• In the ‘Accountability’ dimension, Karnataka tops in the indicators of’social audit’ and ‘gram sabha’ with a score of 81.33.

• In the ‘Functionaries’ dimension, Karnataka has one of the maximum number of panchayat officials working as per the sanctioned positions prescribed by the State.

• In the ‘Capacity building’ dimension, Karnataka ranks among the top 10 States, followed by Telangana and Gujarat.