METHODOLOGY

The SOTS 2020 study of Uttar Pradesh’s 75 districts outlines broad economic and social development trends in the state and produces a district-wise ranking of performance. It does this by combining two methods. First, an analysis of objective ground data from various credible data sources. Second, a separate analysis of 16,916 interviews of respondents on various development issues, in 822 development blocks across 75 districts, with at least 20 respondents in each block. While Nielsen collected the first set of ground level data, Karvy Insights collected the second set of interview-based data. The india today research team combined the two data sets to analyse the development trajectory of the state.

The evaluation of the Nielsen data has two segments: best-performing district at a particular time and the most improved district over the past decade. The data was collected from various sources before being standardised. Sources include the Census, the National Sample Survey, Central Statistical Office, the National Family Health Survey and the National Crime Records Bureau, among many others. Ten categories were selected, each a composite index of variables for which uniform, continuous data was available. The constituent indicators were arranged in a unidirectional manner, i.e., all indicators were positive or negative. For example, the higher the female literacy rate, the higher the level of educational development—a positive indicator of development. The most recent year was used to rank the best district. The difference between the most recent category value and the values from 10 years earlier was used to rank the most improved district. Between February 12-29, 2020, Karvy Insights conducted a block-level citizens’ survey, with 55 questions on nine development parameters. The responses were recorded on 2-, 3- or 10-point scales. Weighted index scores were calculated for all nine parameters and an overall index score was computed through aggregation, initially at the respondent level, followed by indices which were derived at the block and district level.