Goa Access Index has placed Goa at the top among India’s states and union territories for access to basic services, healthcare and socio-economic security. According to the 2021 Access (In)Equality Index (AEI), Goa received a score of 0.67, the highest among all states and union territories covered by the study.

The index was published by the Centre for New Economics Studies at O. P. Jindal Global University. It examines how easily people can access essential services and whether those services are available in a fair and reliable way. The findings highlight Goa’s performance in several important areas, including healthcare, education, housing, drinking water and sanitation.

What Is the Access (In)Equality Index?

The Access (In)Equality Index is designed to measure differences in people’s access to essential services and opportunities. Instead of looking only at the availability of public facilities, it also considers whether people can actually use them.

The study covers five major areas: healthcare, education, access to justice, socio-economic security and basic amenities. These areas are closely connected to people’s quality of life because they influence health, learning opportunities, living conditions and financial stability.

The Goa Access Index result shows that the state performed well across the overall measures used in the study. Goa also secured the second position for access to secondary education.

Goa’s Performance in Basic Amenities

Basic amenities are an important part of the index. They include drinking water, sanitation, housing and clean energy. These services support daily life and help people maintain healthy and safe living conditions.

Access to clean drinking water reduces the risk of water-related diseases. Proper sanitation helps protect public health, while safe housing provides security and better living conditions. Clean energy, including reliable access to electricity and cleaner cooking options, can also improve household well-being.

Goa’s overall score of 0.67 placed it in the highest category of the index. However, the overall ranking and the state’s position in individual areas are different measures. Its second-place position in secondary education shows that performance can vary across service categories.

How Does the Index Measure Access?

The Access (In)Equality Index uses several factors to understand whether essential services are genuinely accessible. These include affordability, geographical proximity, service quality, adequacy and physical availability.

Affordability considers whether people can pay for a service without facing excessive financial pressure. Geographical proximity looks at how easily people can reach facilities such as schools, hospitals and other public services.

Service quality and adequacy examine whether available services meet people’s needs. A facility may exist, but it may not provide enough support or may lack the quality required. Physical availability measures whether the service or facility is actually present and accessible.

By considering these factors together, the index provides a broader picture than simply counting the number of schools, hospitals or other facilities.

Focus on Rural and Urban Differences

The index also examines differences in access between rural and urban areas. People living in cities may have more facilities nearby, while residents of remote villages can face longer travel distances and fewer service options.

The study further considers inequalities linked to caste and gender. These factors can influence access to education, healthcare, justice and economic opportunities.

For example, women and disadvantaged communities may face additional barriers when trying to access public services. Measuring these differences helps identify groups that may need greater support and more inclusive policies.

States Classified into Three Categories

The index groups states and union territories into three categories based on their scores. These categories help show the different levels of access recorded by the study.

Category	Score range
Aspirants	Below 0.33
Achievers	0.33 to 0.42
Front-runners	Above 0.42

Goa’s score of 0.67 places it in the Front-runners category. States in this group recorded scores above 0.42, indicating stronger overall access according to the index’s measures.

Why Measuring Access to Public Services Matters

Access to essential services is an important part of social and economic development. A school building alone does not guarantee good education if students cannot reach it or receive proper teaching. Similarly, the presence of a hospital does not ensure good healthcare if treatment is unaffordable or medical facilities are inadequate.

The Goa Access Index draws attention to this difference between the existence of services and people’s ability to use them. It also highlights why public planning should consider affordability, location, quality and equal opportunities.

The findings can help policymakers identify areas where access remains uneven and where improvements may be needed. Better access to healthcare, education, justice and basic amenities can support stronger communities and more inclusive development.