·       Launched in January 2023, ABP draws inspiration from the successful Aspirational District Programme.

·       ABP aims to enhance governance, improve citizens’ quality of life, and elevate service delivery in remote and less developed blocks across the country.

·       Encompassing 500 blocks from 329 districts across 27 states and 4 Union Territories, the program aims for widespread impact.

·       ABP monitors progress in key themes: Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Allied Services, Basic Infrastructure, and Social Development.

·       The program strategy revolves around three pillars: Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (involving NITI Aayog, Central Ministries, State Governments, and District and Block Administration), and Competition among blocks, fostering a mass movement spirit.

·       Identifying Block Officials as Leaders of Change equipped with skills to drive transformation, working under the guidance of their respective state and district administrations.

·       NITI Aayog, in partnership with states, commits to releasing quarterly rankings of these blocks, providing a continuous assessment mechanism.

Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)

·       Launched in 2018, ADP seeks to uplift the socio-economic status of 112 aspirational districts spread across 28 states.

·       These districts collectively account for over 20% of the country’s population, spanning more than 8,600 gram panchayats.

·       NITI Aayog coordinates the program with support from Central Ministries and State Governments, fostering a collaborative approach.

·       ADP focuses on five core themes: Health & Nutrition (30% weightage), Education (30% weightage), Agriculture & Water Resources (20% weightage), Financial Inclusion & Skill Development (10%), and Basic Infrastructure (10%).

·       The delta ranking mechanism incorporates innovative data utilization coupled with pragmatic administration, ranking districts based on their month-on-month improvement through the Champions of Change dashboard—an online dashboard showcasing progress.