Assessing Determinants and Inter-State Disparities for Common Minimum Needs within India

Regional disparities persist in fulfilling common minimum needs (CMN) in India despite decades of planned development and reforms. This research aimed to identify the determinants of CMN and assess inter-state disparities to promote equitable access to essential services and improved living standards using state-wise secondary data. The Composite Index (CI), assessed across zones and individual states, revealed pronounced regional disparities in development. Southern states such as Kerala (CI: 0.2882) and Tamil Nadu (CI: 0.3213) demonstrated relatively higher levels of socio-economic development, whereas Eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh (CI: 0.8265) and Bihar (CI: 0.8992) ranked the lowest. Key determinants that influenced CMN development included literacy rate, gender ratio, access to electricity, banking accessibility, labour migration patterns, menstrual hygiene practices, family planning uptake and disability prevalence. The study suggested adoption of successful strategies from high-performing states, particularly emphasizing stronger government interventions for effective service delivery and efficient allocation of resources.