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DEHRADUN: According to the latest India Youth Development Index (IYDI) and Report 2017, Uttarakhand has left behind some of the leading states and jumped to the fourth position. In the previous report which came in 2010, the hill state was at the 10th slot. States like Maharashtra (6), Karnataka (7), Gujarat (8) and Uttar Pradesh (16) are poorer than Uttarakhand in youth development this year. Himachal Pradesh , Tamil Nadu and Kerala are at top three positions, respectively.

The report, released by Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports (independent charge) Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore earlier this month, is a composite index of indicators that reflect the socio-economic and political status of youth, besides their health and well-being. The report is based on six key areas: Education, health, work, political participation, civic participation and social inclusion. According to the IYDI 2017, only one domain – youth and work – has shown declining trend nationally.

The report is commissioned by ministry of youth and sport department and published by Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD).

Like 2010, Himachal Pradesh has retained its top slot in all the six indices while Tamil Nadu has improved its position by two notches, jumping from fourth to second slot. In IYDI 2010, five top ranking states were Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, Kerala and Maharashtra.

This year’s top five states are HP , TN, Kerala, Uttarakhand and Punjab while Bihar (20), Assam (19) and Jharkhand (18) are worst performers in IYDI 2017.

Despite improvement in all other indices, a decline in work index has raised concern among experts. “India has registered the jobless growth not only for its general population but also for the youth. The declining work index trend of this magnitude is a disturbing phenomenon which deserves serious policy attention,” the report said.

