Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) was launched by Govt. of India in January 2018 to transform 112 of India's most underdeveloped districts through targeted interventions. The programme is guided by three core principles:

  • 1. Convergence - Ensuring seamless implementation by integrating Central and State schemes
  • 2. Collaboration - Strengthening coordination among Central and State-level Nodal Officers and District Collectors.
  • 3. Competition - Encouraging districts to improve through monthly delta rankings based on real-time performance tracking.


Aspirational District in Kerala
Wayanad is Kerala's only Aspirational District under ADP, demonstrating notable progress through the coordinated leadership of the District Collector and the District Planning Officer (DPO). The Programme Implementation, Evaluation, and Monitoring Department (PIEMD) serves as the State-level monitoring authority, ensuring effective execution and continuous assessment of interventions.

Performance Evaluation Framework
As an Aspirational District, Wayanad's development trajectory is assessed based on incremental improvements across 49 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), categorized under five critical socio-economic themes:

Thematic Area Weightage Indicators Data Points
Health & Nutrition 30% 13 31
Education 30% 8 14
Agriculture & Water Resources 20% 10 12
Financial Inclusion & Skill Development 10% 7 8
5% 5 10
Basic Infrastructure 5% 6 6
Total 100% 49 81

Progress is monitored transparently through the Champions of Change Dashboard (http://championsofchange.gov.in).

Implementation Strategy
The ADP follows a multi-tiered governance framework, ensuring seamless implementation and monitoring through:

  • Appointment of a Central Prabhari Officer (Additional/Joint Secretary) for each district to oversee progress.
  • Formation of an Empowered Committee, convened by the CEO, NITI Aayog, to resolve bottlenecks and ensure convergence.
  • State-level monitoring by the Chief Secretary, with designated State Nodal Officers and Prabhari Officers for implementation oversight.


Impact and Way Forwar
The ADP serves as a model of inclusive and sustainable growth, ensuring focused, data-driven, and participatory governance. Wayanad's developmental progress under ADP aligns with India's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing Kerala's commitment to equitable growth and innovation in governance.