Kerala Tops in Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024

Kerala has secured the top position in the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024, with an overall score of 59.31%. This improvement is attributed to the inclusion of additional cities and key reforms.

Kerala's Performance in the Urban Governance Index (UGI) 2024

Kerala secures top position with an overall UGI score of 59.31%
Significant improvement from 2020 when Kerala ranked 4th with 48.77%
Progress attributed to inclusion of additional cities and key reforms
Excels in two key areas:

a) Empowered City Elected Representatives and Legislative Structure (18.63/30)

b) Fiscal Empowerment (23.22/30)

Average UGI score across India: 39.70%
Other top-ranking states: Odisha, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh
Bottom-ranking states: Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Chandigarh, and Punjab

Unique Features of Kerala's Urban Governance

One of four states requiring councillor participation in deliberative committees
Among nine states empowering local governments to introduce new taxes/charges
One of 13 states mandating public publication of budgets and accounts
Mayors authorized to write Annual Confidential Reports for Commissioners
Municipal laws require councillor participation in subject/standing committees
Adoption of new technologies to improve service delivery and city management

Areas of Excellence in Kerala's Governance Model

Strong fiscal empowerment, outperforming other states
Commitment to participatory governance through inclusive decision-making
Transparency in governance through public disclosure of financial information
Accountability measures, such as mayoral oversight of commissioners
Timely conduct of municipal elections, setting an example for other states
Effective local-level financial management

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Ranked 20th in city administration empowerment, indicating room for improvement
Vacant positions in local government jobs affecting city management
Multiple agencies handling functions, reducing city governments' power
Need for strengthening the mayoral system to enhance decision-making capabilities
Potential for increasing autonomy of city administrations

China EV Export Market Share

In recent years, China's EV export market share has grown exponentially, positioning the country as the global leader in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. According to the Global EV Outlook

Reliance and Nifty50

It is crucial to have knowledge of economic subjects like Nifty50 in order to do well on SSC exams. Nifty50 is an indicator that tracks the stock market performance of the top 50 companies listed

Kallapu-Sajipa Riverfront Road Project

When it comes to building new infrastructure, Karnataka is in the forefront. There are a lot of big initiatives in the state that are boosting the economy and making things more accessible.

India's Manufacturing Vision 2025

India's manufacturing policies have recently gained significant attention as the government seeks to strengthen the country's industrial sector and achieve long-term economic growth. Th

What Drives the Gold Price Rs 1 Lakh?

Gold prices in India have surged to an all-time high, surpassing the Rs 1 Lakh mark per 10 grams for the first time. This significant rise in the Gold Price of Rs 1 Lakh is linked to various g

India’s GDP Growth Rate Falls to 6.4%

Fitch has revised its 2025 GDP forecast for India from 6.6% to 6.4%, a decrease of 10 basis points. This is the most recent global economic news. While this may not seem like a major drop, it’

Boosting Opportunities in the Gig Economy

India is witnessing a quiet revolution in how employment is created. The announcement of 12 lakh jobs in India by 2025 is a huge step toward redefining the gig and logistics economy. With

Nirmala Sitharaman Presents the 2024-25 Economic Survey – An In-Depth Analysis

The Economic Survey 2024-25 emphasizes India's consistent economic growth, forecasting a 6.4% GDP increase in FY25. Key highlights include controlled inflation, robust trade performanc

MoMSME Unveils TEAM Initiative to Enhance Digital Presence of MSMEs in India

The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) has introduced the MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative, a pioneering initiative designed to strengthen the d

Union Budget 2025: Understanding the Concept of 'Bahi Khata'

The ‘bahi khata’ is a traditional Indian ledger employed for accounting and maintaining records. It is typically a bound book, often covered in cloth, used to track financial t