India’s Fiscal Divide: Odisha Leads as Several States Slip in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index

India’s Fiscal Divide: Odisha Leads as Several States Slip in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index

TL;DR India’s states drive most public spending, but their fiscal health varies widely. The Fiscal Health Index by NITI Aayog highlights this divide across spending quality, revenue, deficits, and debt. Odisha leads with a strong, consistent performance, far ahead of peers like Goa and Jharkhand. Over time, some states have improved sharply, while others, such as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab, have declined due to weaker fiscal discipli…