Karnataka retained its fourth spot in the Public Affairs Index 2018, while Kerala topped the index, for the third time, for being the best governed large State in the country. Tamil Nadu and Telangana stood second and third respectively.
The index on the quality of governance, released by Bengaluru-based think tank Public Affairs Centre on Saturday, was based on 10 themes, 30 focus subjects and 100 indicators. Karnataka was ranked third in 2016.
While the State has performed well in certain indicators like power, water, road and housing, it has fallen drastically in other areas including employment and public distribution system.
It has also been ranked low in education and health which falls under the support to human development. While it was ranked fourth in this indicator in 2017, it has slipped to the seventh position this year.
On indicators related to women and children, the State has performed poorly, showing an increase in atrocities against women. Beneficiaries under the Integrated Child Development Services are also fewer compared to other large States.
On the positive side, Karnataka has made continuous improvements in economic freedom, according to the index. It climbed from the 10th spot to the fifth position this year.
The State has also been ranked number one in environment and transparency and accountability. It was ranked second in the two themes last year.
Among other themes, the State has been ranked 16 in social protection, 13 in delivery of justice, eighth in crime, law and order and fourth in fiscal management.
The Centre added a new chapter in the index this year, Children of India, which included themes such as early childhood development, education, adolescence, protection, institutional structure and governance.
Among the 30 States, Karnataka stood eighth, even as Kerala stood first.