Haryana needs to improve on SDG, HDI to be a developed state before 2047, says study

In a paper titled “Policy Perspectives for a Developed Haryana”, co-authored by Chand, Narendra Kumar Bishnoi and Gargi Boora, it has been suggested that the state needs to make inclusive and proactive policies in healthcare, education, MSME sector, and ensure the benefits of growth are evenly distributed geographically and across socio economic groups to realise the goal.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chand has said that Haryana can become a developed state before 2047 in terms of not only income, but also progress in meeting SDG goals and on Human Development Index (HDI). Haryana averaged close to 7 per cent annual growth between 1990–91 and 2024–25.

In a paper titled “Policy Perspectives for a Developed Haryana”, co-authored by Chand, Narendra Kumar Bishnoi and Gargi Boora, it has been suggested that the state needs to make inclusive and proactive policies in healthcare, education, MSME sector, and ensure the benefits of growth are evenly distributed geographically and across socio economic groups to realise the goal.

The social development goals (SDG) score was 72 in 2023–24 as it scored low in gender equality (45), climate action (51), life on land (48) and decent work and economic growth (50), mirroring severe educated unemployment. Haryana’s HDI was 0.696 in 2022, though growing at average 1.23 per year.

Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chand 
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

“With sustained reforms in SDG, HDI, Haryana could credibly attain developed economy status during the late 2030s—well ahead of India’s national target of 2047,” the study said using Solow Growth Accounting Framework to estimate the State’s sectoral growth potential and simulate workforce shifts across sectors to evaluate likely per capita income trajectories.

Haryana was at the forefront of the Green Revolution in late 1960s and 1970s, focusing on high yielding seeds, irrigation infrastructure, chemical fertilisers, farm credit and agri-markets. Agricultural productivity responded strongly to these initiatives with food grain output rising over eightfold over 57 years — from 25.92 lakh tonnes (lt) in 1966–67 to 208.8 lt in 2023–24. The livestock sector also flourished as milk production grew from 19.5 lt in 1979–80 to 122.2 lt in 2023–24, with impressive annual growth rate of 9.3 per cent.

Besides agriculture, Haryana has also emerged as an automobile manufacturing hub, with presence of Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and Honda. The Gurugram–Manesar-Bawal belt forms the state’s automobile epicentre, supported by a vast network of auxiliary and component makers. Gurugram (previously known as Gurgaon) hosts several corporate biggies such as Google, IBM, and Microsoft, and home to more than 250 Fortune 500 companies.

“With proactive and well-coordinated policies, Haryana could achieve high-income status by 2038–39 and an HDI of 0.85 by 2039, paving the way for inclusive, broad-based, and sustainable development,” the authors have said in the study.

But, it has asked the state government to enhance Total Factor Productivity (TFP) across sectors, strengthen human capital, deepen decentralisation, and accelerate technology adoption. “In agriculture, the focus should shift from the traditional rice–wheat system toward high value crops, smart farming, direct marketing, and improved post-harvest infrastructure. Balanced development of different regions within the state is essential and can be advanced through IT parks, skill hubs, and industrial clusters in Tier-2 cities,” it said.

Education and skilling must be better aligned with market needs, with greater emphasis on quality, STEM, and research and development supported by universities, PPPs, and incubators.

“Horticulture-based FPOs and private producer initiatives should be integrated with e-NAM and contract farming, with genuine farmers prioritised for subsidies. Private investment in logistics, quality certification, and processing should be incentivised,” the study said.

Published on December 18, 2025