About the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)

The 500 Blocks, part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme were selected by an Inter-Ministerial Committee in consultation with state governments. An index was developed based on data pertaining to health and nutrition, education, basic infrastructure, etc. using Mission Antyodaya and the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC).

The committee also recommended that the number of blocks in a State/UT be based on population (carrying a weightage of 25%) and the per capita GDP of the State/UT (carrying a weightage of 75%). It also advised that at least one block is selected from each of the 112 Aspirational Districts. These 500 blocks are located across 329 districts in 27 States and 4 UTs. Of these, 160 blocks are from the 112 Aspirational Districts. The list of 500 blocks and state wise summary is attached as here.

The Aspirational Blocks Programme has identified themes that can create a noticeable change in the quality of life of people and are more output-oriented in their approach.

The indicators are important pointers both quantitative and qualitative that will help in creating the building blocks of the Aspirational Block Strategy. The convergence of Central and State Supported Schemes would be leveraged to achieve transformational changes in the lives of people in the remotest regions of India.

Themes (5)

Indicators (40) Download PDF

Health & Nutrition

Education

Agriculture & Allied Services

Basic Infrastructure

Social Development

Agriculture & Allied Services

1. Percentage of FPOs formed in the block against total sanctioned
2. Percentage of Soil Health Cards generated against soil sample collection target
3. Percentage of beneficiaries under PM Kisan with land details and AEPB Seeded against total no. of beneficiaries with land details seeded
4. Percentage of Animal Vaccinated with Bovine Vaccination (FMD)
5. Stage of Ground Water Extraction (%)

Basic Infrastructure

1. Percentage of households with tap connection
2. Percentage of villages declared open Defecation Free (ODF) plus
3. Percentage of Gram Panchayats with BharatNet
4. Percentage of Gram Panchayats with Live BharatNet connection
5. Percentage of Households (HHs) constructed under PMAY-G

Education

1. Percentage of boys transitioned from Upper Primary to Secondary level
2. Percentage of girls transitioned from Upper Primary to Secondary level
3. Percentage of boys transitioned from Secondary to Higher Secondary Level
4. Percentage of girls transitioned from Secondary to Higher Secondary Level
5. Percentage of elementary schools having PTR less than equal to 30
6. Percentage of schools having adequate no. of girls’ toilet facilities
7. Percentage of schools having trained teachers for teaching child with special needs (CwSN)
8. Percentage of boys with 60% and above marks in Class X board exam
9. Percentage of girls with 60% and above marks in Class X board exam
10. Percentage of boys with 60% and above marks in Class XII board exam
11. Percentage of girls with 60% and above marks in Class XII board exam

Social Development

1. Total number of eligible Households (HHs) added to SHGs
2. Percentage of SHGs that have received Revolving Fund
3. No. of banking touch points (bank branch/BC/IPPB centre) located in the block
4. Percentage of Gram Panchayats with atleast 250 beneficiaries digitally certified under PM Digital Saksharata Abhiyaan
5. Vocal for Local

Health & Nutrition

1. Percentage of pregnant women registered for (ANC) within first trimester
2. Percentage of institutional deliveries against total reported deliveries
3. Percentage of low-birth weight babies (less than 2500g)
4. Percentage of National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certified facilities in Block
5. Percentage of person screened for Hypertension against targeted population in the Block
6. Percentage of person screened for Diabetes against targeted population
7. Percentage of pregnant women taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS programme regularly
8. Percentage of children from 6 months to 6 years taking Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS programme regularly
9. Measurement efficiency of children enrolled at Anganwadi Centres
10. Percentage of children under 5 years with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
11. Percentage of children under 5 years with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM)
12. Percentage of operational Anganwadis Centres with functional toilets
13. Percentage of operational Anganwadis Centres with drinking water facilities
14. Percentage of Tuberculosis (TB) cases treated successfully against TB cases notified a year ago

The Aspirational Blocks strategy hinges upon three broad contours:

• Convergence (of Central & State Schemes),
• Collaboration (between NITI Aayog, Central Ministries, State Departments, District & Block Administration) and,
• Competition among blocks driven by a spirit of mass Movement.

The following constitutes the central strategy under the Aspirational Blocks Programme:

1. Robust monitoring of key socio-economic indicators: The blocks would be monitored on 39 key indicators that have been identified under priority themes namely, Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Allied Services, Basic Infrastructure and Social Development. The blocks would be ranked based on the progress they make on these indicators over time.
2. Preparation of the Block Development Strategy: ABP would support Blocks in developing a well-planned Block Development Strategy which would take into consideration Block-specific challenges and opportunities. Blocks would undertake a SWOT analysis and develop strategies to maximize the strengths and opportunities while developing methods to overcome weaknesses and threats. Blocks would identify key interventions across all the sectors of ABP that could help achieve saturation of services and surpass the State average on key socio-economic parameters.
3. Capacity Building of functionaries: ABP would ensure continuous capacity building of Block-level functionaries to ensure effective and accelerated implementation of schemes. Capacity Building Modules on leadership and relevant sectors would be a central piece of the programme. NITI Aayog, along with expert institutions and Ministries, would develop training modules and create Master Trainers who would conduct capacity-building training across all sectors.
4. Knowledge Portal for continuous learning: The Programme would have a knowledge portal for documentation and dissemination of best practices that have been initiated to address local challenges and improve service delivery. All States, Districts and Blocks would have the opportunity to document innovative solutions that may be replicated by others with similar challenges. A systematic approach to knowledge management would be adopted for continuous learning under the Programme.
5. Capacity building: Capacity building is a central component of the ABP with an emphasis on enhancing governance through capacity building. Under ABP, this includes enabling stakeholders with the necessary expertise, knowledge, and assets required for the effective execution of plans. The capacity-building strategy is centred on
   • Programme Orientation and Leadership training: All Blocks-Level Officials and key stakeholders of ABP shall undergo an orientation that would help prepare them as Leaders of Change along with an understanding of programme objectives, key components and implementation strategy.
   • Building domain expertise: The Block-level Officials shall be provided training and exposure on key priority sectors with an aim to build capacity for planning, strategizing, implementing and monitoring progress and outcomes in the defined priority sectors.

Capacity building is a central component of the ABP with the emphasis on enhancing governance via capacity building. Capacity building under ABP includes enabling the stakeholders with the necessary expertise, knowledge, and assets required for effective execution of plans. The capacity building strategy is centred on:

• Programme Orientation and Leadership training: All Blocks-Level Officials and key stakeholders of ABP shall undergo an orientation that would help prepare them as Leaders of Change along with an understanding of programme objectives, key components and implementation strategy.
• Building domain expertise: The Block-level Officials shall be provided training and exposure on key priority sectors with an aim to build capacity on planning, implementation and monitoring of progress and outcomes in these priority sectors.