The Kerala Development Report reviews the course of development of the State and the aspects in which the State holds a unique position among the States and Union Territories in India, such as universalisation of school education, reduction in fertility and mortality rates, development of health- care sector, growth of infrastructural facilities and expansion of financial institutions, It has also highlighted the pitfalls on its road to progress such as declining agriculture, stagnating industry, mounting unemployment and growing consumerism. The great strength of conviction that the State has acquired through incessant social reform struggles, progressive political movements, and land reform legislations is lending support to its pace of progress along egalitarian lines. The merging conflicts in the matters of private partnership in educational development, reservations to depressed communities in educational institutions and in government services, and participation of foreign investors in Kerala's development endeavours have added new dimensions to the path and pace of progress that the State may choose to tread. New problems that have arisen due to its spectacular success in bringing out a demographic transition such as the mounting proportions of the elderly and the aged in the State's population have also been highlighted in the report. The SDR of Kerala has also furnished a roadmap to development that the State may like to pursue in important economic sectors such as agriculture, traditional and small-scale industries and modern manufacturing industries.

The Sikkim Development Report attempts to assess the main strengths and weaknesses of the state in achieving a high level of development. Based on the analysis of the economy's fundamentals, it recommends a development strategy that takes into account the state's potential and builds on its strengths: a peaceful environment, diverse agro-climatic topography, supply of cheap labour and vast potential in tourism, hydro-power, and horticulture. The sustainable developmental strategy recommended will seek to (i) empower people by strengthening the social infrastructure, in the form of education and skill formation and easy access to good health systems, and physical infrastructure, such as a good connectivity and communications network, quality energy supply, and (ii) vastly changed role for the government as an enabler rather than a direct participant in the production-distribution processes.

The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socioeconomic progress.

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed national-level agencies, under the supervision of a core committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the Maharashtra Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories of India are under various stages of preparation.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Report highlights issues related to the development priorities of the islands and the road ahead in health, education, tribal development, environment, agriculture, ports, shipping and air connectivity. The report suggests a long-term plan to restore the livelihoods, adversity affected by the Tsunami in December 2004. It is expected to serve as a useful reference material and stimulate informed debate on the policy issues faced by the Union Territory.

The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socioeconomic progress.

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed national-level agencies, under the supervision of a core committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the Maharashtra Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories of India are under various stages of preparation.

The Lakshadweep Development Report highlights issues related to the development of small islands and the road ahead for the progress of the Union Territory. Lakshadweep's potential in tourism, coconut development and its transformation in social sectors are well documented in the report. Infrastructure, human development, biodiversity and environment protection, governance and economic issues of Lakshadweep are adequately addressed in the report. The report is expected to serve as a useful reference material and stimulate informed debate on the policy issues facing the Union Territory.

The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socioeconomic progress.

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed national-level agencies, under the supervision of a Core Committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the Karnataka Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories of India are under various stages of preparation.

The Maharashtra Development Report reviews the State's development experience and highlights issues critical for its future progress. The report is expected to serve as a useful reference and stimulate informed debate on the policy issues facing the state.

The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socioeconomic progress.

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed national-level agencies, under the supervision of a Core Committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the Karnataka Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories of India are under various stages of preparation.

The Karnataka Development Report dwells upon the entire gamut of the State, across sections ranging from real and financial sector, regional disparities, human and social development, environmental sustainability, governance and service delivery. Karnataka's strength lies in four major areas viz., good governance (transparency and accountability), solid resources (i.e. a good accumulation of human capital), near absence of communal conflicts and a good track record of management. The State however needs to address the stagnancy in agriculture, persisting regional disparity in respect of industrial development, income inequality, and levels of living related issues and social security. The report brings together exclusive chapters dedicated to the statement of a vision for future development in all these while also prescribing policy directions and ‘drivers'.

The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socio-economic progress

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed expert national-level agencies, under the supervision of a Core Committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the Uttar Pradesh Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories of India are under various stages of preparation.

The Uttar Pradesh Development Report reviews the State's development experience and highlights issues critical for its future progress. Uttar Pradesh's latent potential in irrigation, power, transport, agriculture, and tourism is well documented in the report. The report is expected to serve as a useful reference and stimulate informed debate on the policy issues facing the most populous state of the country.

The Rajasthan Development Report analyses the entire gamut of development issues concerning a drought prone and arid state. It contains rich state and sub-state level data on various sectors and issues. Five decades of planning in Rajasthan has brought a miraculous change in the potential of development across the state. The report reviews Rajasthan’s experience in the important sectors in the state’s economy and the objective of its publication is to stimulate debate on growth strategies appropriate for development in the years ahead. The roadmap indicated in the report is expected to create broader awareness of the critical policy issues and assist Rajasthan to move to a high growth path and achieve all round human and economic development.

The Tamil Nadu Development Report highlights that the State economy is now driven largely by industry and services, with agriculture accounting for less than 20 per cent of State Domestic Product. However, traditional sectors like agriculture and small industries cannot be neglected since they provide employment opportunities to a large number of population. Diversification of the rural economy to horticulture, dairy, fisheries, poultry and agro-processing has provided employment opportunities and reduced poverty.

The high level of urbanisation of the State requires massive investments in all the infrastructure areas - power, roads, ports, water supply and sewerage, and telecom. Reforms in these sectors, including public-private partnership are needed for future growth of the economy. The service sector, particularly Information Technology Services, Financial Services and Tourism have immense potential in Tamil Nadu.

While power is no longer a serious constraint, the scarce water resources of the State limit the growth of the economy in many areas. The finances of Tamil Nadu are better managed than most other States. The State is no longer on the verge of serious financial crisis, but still requires to take several reform measures including the implementation of the Value Added Tax. While the State is known for comparatively good administration, there is need for greater transparency and accountability. Local government institutions which are closer to the people need to be strengthened.

The Tamil Nadu Development Report lays out the past achievements as well as potential in various sectors of the State economy. The report also suggests policies and strategies that should be followed for future development of the State.

The Himachal Pradesh Development Report reviews the State's development experience and highlights issues critical for its future progress. Himachal Pradesh's latent potential in hydel power, tourism, bio-business and its transformation in social sectors is well documented in the report. The report is expected to serve as a useful reference and stimulate informed debate on the policy issues facing a hill state.