📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joydeep
Sarkari Yojana
West Bengal Tops NSO Study on Welfare Schemes Boosting Living Standards
✍️ Business Standard
🗓 16 Oct 2026, 09:17 PM
👁 13
A recent National Statistical Office survey ranks West Bengal highest among Indian states for the impact of welfare schemes on improving living standards.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) released a new study that evaluates how state‑level welfare programmes influence living standards across India.
West Bengal emerged as the top performer, scoring highest on indicators such as household consumption, health access and education outcomes linked to government schemes.
The study highlights the effectiveness of flagship programmes like MGNREGA, PM‑Kisan, and the state’s own subsidised food distribution network in raising the quality of life for millions of residents.
While states such as Kerala and Punjab also showed strong performance, West Bengal’s lead suggests that its integrated welfare approach is yielding tangible benefits.
Policy analysts say the findings could guide future resource allocation and help replicate successful models in other states.
West Bengal emerged as the top performer, scoring highest on indicators such as household consumption, health access and education outcomes linked to government schemes.
The study highlights the effectiveness of flagship programmes like MGNREGA, PM‑Kisan, and the state’s own subsidised food distribution network in raising the quality of life for millions of residents.
While states such as Kerala and Punjab also showed strong performance, West Bengal’s lead suggests that its integrated welfare approach is yielding tangible benefits.
Policy analysts say the findings could guide future resource allocation and help replicate successful models in other states.