Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Union Christian College, Aluva, M.G. University, Kerala, India
Online Published on 28 January, 2025.
The South Indian pattern of development is receiving much attention in the recent times not just for its achievements in development indicators, but also for the politics, displayed by the region until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This study examines the development trajectories of five South Indian states, namely Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It compares the selected socio-economic indicators to assess how far the case of South Indian model of inclusive development can be accepted. These states give us the demonstration of the back-and-forth linkages of human development and economic growth. It also looks at the persisting challenges faced by these states in its development trajectories. Another common challenge faced by the South Indian states is regarding the centre-state fiscal transfers which have a punitive impact on better performing states. This paper is based on secondary data, namely the NITI Aayog reports, National Family Health Survey 2019–2021 and RBI’s Handbook of Statistics on Indian states.
South India, Human development, Economic development, Linkages, Centre-state fiscal relations
