India's best and worst performing states

The sustainable competitiveness report measures of the responsible growth of a state and it evaluates the states work on preserving the environment, responsible use of natural resources and initiatives towards improved standard of living coupled with sustaining economic growth.

The Sustainable Competitiveness Report 2011 by Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute for Competitiveness, looks at mapping the sustainability of the growth story of the Indian states.

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Delhi is ranked first place among the high population density states.

Delhi is the national winner in economic development

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said it was "extremely gratifying to see Delhi once again at the top of the sustainability competitiveness rankings".

She said sustainable development leads to sustainable prosperity across the country. "We need to keep striving to make not just our respective states but the entire country more competitive, sustainable and a true success story."

Goa topped among medium population density states. Goa scores on resource availability and utilisation.

Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath said that PPP (public-private partnership) models in infrastructure development need to be flexible, rather than a one-fit format.

Sikkim tops the list among low population density states.

India is a vast nation with a growing population base supported by thriving economic growth which has transformed the nation into a preferred business hub for the world's most developed countries, states the study.

Punjab is ranked fourth among the states on competitiveness and growth. Given that Indian states and cities are emerging as preferred business hubs by local and international investors alike, there is a need for planned sustainable development.

Given that Indian states and cities are emerging as preferred business hubs by local and international investors alike, there is a need for planned sustainable development, the study says.

Haryana is one of the wealthiest states of India and has the third highest per capita income in the country at Rs 67,891.

The State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) of Haryana is expected to grow at 9 per cent during 2010-11 and per capita income at 7.2 per cent.

Mizoram is number one in 'social inclusion'. However, Mizoram lags behind economically with little development due to the geographical lack of markets and raw materials.

Besides being highly competitive, Kerala has the highest human development index in India. It is also ranked as one of the least corrupt states.

Gujarat, considered the growth engine of India is one of India's fastest growing states. One of the most industrialised states of India, and has a per capita GDP almost twice that of the national average.

Arunchal Pradesh clocked the highest economic growth rate of 22.43 per cent in 2009-10.

India today faces challenges of equitable and sustainable development coupled with our collective social responsibility towards environment preservation and climate change, states the study.

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Surprisingly some of the biggest states have scored low on the four parameters of social inclusion, environment and climate change, economic development, resource availability and utilisation.

The state's share of total industrial output in India was 9.8 per cent in 1980-81, declining to 5 per cent by 1997-98.

However, the service sector has grown at a rate higher than the national rate. Anti-industry policies have been a dampener.

Bihar has the lowest GDP per capita in India. The economy of Bihar is largely service oriented, but it also has a significant agricultural base. The state also has a small industrial sector.

Jharkhand is the leading producer of mineral wealth in the country, yet it lags behind in development.

There is a huge disparity between its resources and development.

Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area and the seventh most populous state. It is the third largest contributor to India's GDP.

While it continues to attract big ticket investments, more investment is required to keep up with the fast paced growth of other developing states.

Karnataka recorded the highest growth rates in terms of GDP and per capita GDP in the last decade compared to other states.

Home to India's IT base, its infrastructure is crippling.

The state ranks third in terms of GDP among all the states. There is a huge disparity of wealth in Andhra Pradesh.

The call for a separate statehood to the Telangana region will severely dent the state's rising growth. Frequent strikes have already created a negative impression about the state.

A lot more needs to be done to improve urban transport and world class facilities for the industrial growth to rise substantially.

Maharashtra tops in GDP growth among all states yet it lags in competitiveness. Other states are fast catching up to in terms of infrastructure and other facilities in urban areas.

Uttar Pradesh is the second largest state-economy in India contributing 8.34 per cent to India's total GDP in the financial year 2010. The state is also a hub for small scale industries.