'Access (In)Equality Index': How Do States Fare in Terms of Basic Amenities and Healthcare?

The Access (In)Equality Index (AEI) 2024 report, authored by Siddhartha Bhasker, Deepanshu Mohan, Aditi Desai, Jheel Doshi, and Aryan Govindakrishnan, measures inequality in access to basic opportunities across India. It evaluates states and union territories based on five key pillars: basic amenities, healthcare, education, socio-economic security, and legal recourse. The report highlights significant disparities, with Goa, Sikkim, and Andhra Pradesh emerging as top performers, while Bihar and several northeastern states lag behind. The findings emphasize the need for targeted policies to address these inequalities, especially post-pandemic, to ensure inclusive growth and equitable access to essential services for all citizens.