Title:
HUMAN-DEVELOPMENT INDEX OF INDIA: CONCEPT AND MEASUREMENT

Authors:
Dr. Tejbir Singh Rana

Abstract:
The development of any region is determined by the qualitative improvement in overall lifestyle of the inhabitants in spatio-temporal perspective. The application of technology, monetary flow, mobility and inter-regional exchange of goods are reflected in the form of improved quality of life of overall population in a region. The measurement of Human Development Index (HDI) is based on normalization index (quantitative measurement) where value of data of each state is calculated from 0.000 (zero as lowest value) to 1.000 as highest value (subject to the range of minimum and maximum value) in a given set of data. As per the UNDP standardization, three indicators are taken into consideration for the calculation of human development index of various administrative units (states/UT's) of India. These indicators are -- a). Average Life Expectancy which reflects the health indicators of the people in a particular region b). Literacy Rate which denotes the awareness and knowledge base of society and c). Per Capita Income indicates the economic parameters of the social group in a region.
Considering the extreme range of data of Indian states and union territories, the HDI is calculated in two categories of states and UT's as Major and Minor States. This division is based on minimum geographical area of 2% to the total geographical area of the country and minimum 0.5% population of an administrative unit to the total population of India. Subsequently 21 Major and 15 Minor states and union territories (as administrative units) reflected the justifiable categorization and ranking of data of Indian states/UTs. Further, on the basis of final range of normalization index, three categories of Indian states/UT's developed as Progressive, Dynamic and Prospective states/UT's.