Fiscal Health Index 2026: Odisha Leads Top 8 Performing States in India

• NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026 evaluates states' fiscal strength for FY 2023-24 across five pillars.
• Odisha secures the top spot with a score of 73.1, excelling in debt management and high own tax revenue.
• Goa ranks second (54.7) due to superior revenue mobilization, leveraging high per-capita income and tourism.
• Jharkhand shows significant improvement, driven by a dramatic rise in expenditure quality (66.3) towards capital outlays.
• Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh also feature among the top 8 states, each with unique fiscal strengths and challenges.

Key Questions Answered

Which state scored highest in debt management in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?

Odisha scored highest in debt management in the Fiscal Health Index 2026. The state achieved a score of 95.8 in debt management.

How did Jharkhand achieve significant improvement in the 2026 Fiscal Health Index?

Jharkhand achieved significant improvement in the 2026 Fiscal Health Index due to a dramatic rise in expenditure quality.

What factors contributed to Goa's second position in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?

Goa secured the second position in the Fiscal Health Index 2026 due to its borrowings remaining within FRBM limits and being utilized for capital works.