Andhra Pradesh ranks second in Access Equality Index, but 13th in per capita income

The ranking reflects the government’s focus on welfare, development, and good governance, says Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Andhra Pradesh has ranked second among 28 States in the Access Equality Index (AEI) 2026, despite being placed 13th in per capita income, according to a report by the Centre for New Economic Studies (CNES) at O.P. Jindal Global University.

Addressing the media on Monday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, while citing the ranking, said that the State was providing the people with access to public services and opportunities beyond what its income level would ordinarily indicate.

Goa topped the index chart with a score of 0.68, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 0.66. Sikkim scored 0.63, Kerala 0.60, and Tamil Nadu and Telangana 0.57 each. The report identified Andhra Pradesh as a front-runner, with the State securing the highest rank among the larger States, he said.

The index assesses five areas— basic infrastructure, healthcare, education, socio-economic security and access to justice—using 60 indicators across 23 categories. Each of the five parameters has been given equal weight.

Andhra Pradesh ranked first in socio-economic security, scoring 0.69, ahead of Goa, which ranked second with 0.50. The State also figured among the leading performers in the other four dimensions, he said.

Mr Naidu said the ranking reflected the coalition government’s focus on welfare, development, and good governance over the past two and a half years. The government is pursuing investment-led wealth creation alongside improved public services, he added.