The correct answer is: c) Among the lowest.
Assam’s HDI ranking among Indian states has been consistently low in recent years. In 2020, Assam ranked 28th out of 36 states and union territories in India, with a HDI value of 0.641. This means that Assam’s human development is significantly below the average for India.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Assam’s low HDI ranking. One factor is the state’s high poverty rate. According to the 2011 census, 27.5% of Assam’s population lived below the poverty line. This is significantly higher than the national poverty rate of 21.9%.
Another factor that contributes to Assam’s low HDI ranking is the state’s poor education system. According to the 2011 census, the literacy rate in Assam was 73.1%, which is lower than the national literacy rate of 74.0%. In addition, the dropout rate from school is high in Assam, particularly among girls.
Assam also has a high rate of malnutrition. According to the 2015-16 National Family Health Survey, 36.4% of children under the age of five in Assam were stunted, which means they were too short for their age. This is significantly higher than the national stunting rate of 30.4%.
The government of Assam has taken a number of steps to improve the state’s human development. These steps include investing in education, health, and infrastructure. However, more needs to be done to improve the lives of the people of Assam.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- a) Among the top performers: This option is incorrect because Assam’s HDI ranking among Indian states is generally low.
- b) In the middle range: This option is incorrect because Assam’s HDI ranking among Indian states is generally low.
- c) Among the lowest: This option is correct because Assam’s HDI ranking among Indian states is generally low.
- d) Data not available: This option is incorrect because data on Assam’s HDI ranking is available.