News: The PESA Rankings for 2024-25 were released, showing Maharashtra first, Madhya Pradesh second and Himachal Pradesh third among PESA States.
About PESA Rankings of States for Year 2024-25
- The PESA Rankings of the States for 2024-25 assess how well States have implemented the PESA Act in the Fifth Schedule Areas.
- Released by: It is release by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Aim: The Rankings aim to encourage States with Fifth Schedule Areas to strengthen Gram Sabha-centered self-governance and identify areas needing focused support.
- Measurement of performance:
- The performance of States was measured on mutually agreed 100-point PESA indicators to ensure objectivity, transparency and accountability in the implementation of the PESA Act.
- The PESA Indicators were formally released during PESA Mahotsav on 24th December, 2025, the day when PESA Act came into force in 1996.
- The performance of the States in PESA Ranking (2024-25) is as follows
- Front Runner category: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh
- Performers category: Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana
- Aspirant category: Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat
- Beginner category: Odisha and Jharkhand
About Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) PESA Act
- The act intends to provide tribal self-rule for people living in scheduled and tribal areas.
- To promote local self-governance in rural India, the 73rd constitutional amendment was made in 1992, due to which a three-tier Panchayati Raj Institution was made into a law.
- However, its application to the scheduled and tribal areas under Article 243(M) was restricted.
- After the Bhuria Committee recommendations in 1995, PESA Act 1996 came into existence.
- The PESA Act conferred the powers to Gram Sabha, whereas state legislature has given an advisory role to ensure the proper functioning of Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
