“Reaching the top is one challenge, but staying there is an even bigger one,” said Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, IAS, at the Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards 2025. His words resonated deeply as he reflected on the state’s meteoric rise, its governance success, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
The event, hosted in Dehradun by Indian Masterminds, brought together policymakers, bureaucrats, and experts to celebrate the state’s administrative achievements and discuss its future roadmap. Uttarakhand’s transformation from a fledgling state to a national leader in governance and development was the highlight of the evening, with Dr. Sundaram’s address setting the tone.
THE DRIVE FOR CONTINUOUS PROGRESS
Dr. Sundaram, who was the first IAS officer posted in the newly formed Uttarakhand in 2000, emphasized that despite ranking at the top in governance, the state remains committed to identifying weaker areas and improving them. “On the instructions of the Honorable Chief Minister, we have already held three meetings to analyze the indicators where we still lag behind. Our goal is to keep Uttarakhand’s number one position intact,” he stated.
He credited individuals, particularly women, for their significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To recognize these contributions, the government is set to launch an SDG Achievers Award, which will honor private individuals who have helped Uttarakhand maintain its leadership in sustainable development.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A MODEL STATE
Dr. Sundaram took the audience on a journey through Uttarakhand’s remarkable growth, comparing the present with the early 2000s when the state was just beginning to take shape. “When I first arrived here, there was a makeshift capital, an interim government, and a temporary secretariat—one that remains in use even today,” he reminisced.
The transformation, however, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Uttarakhand’s GDP has surged from ₹18,000 crores in 2001 to an impressive ₹3,50,000 crores today. Infrastructure has seen a revolutionary upgrade, reducing travel time from Dehradun to Delhi from 12 hours to just four and a half hours, with an expressway soon to cut it further to two and a half hours.
The state’s aviation sector has flourished, with Dehradun Airport growing from a single flight with one passenger (then-Chief Secretary Om Prakash) to one of the busiest airports in the region, connecting to almost every major state capital.
STATE’S UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC GROWTH
A recent report by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council highlights Uttarakhand’s remarkable economic progress. The state has experienced a 9.5-fold growth in its industrial economy, accompanied by an 18-fold increase in State-Owned Tax Revenue (SOTR). Additionally, its per capita income has surged from ₹15,285 in 2001 to ₹2.61 lakh in the financial year 2023, surpassing the national average. Uttarakhand’s meteoric rise reached a new pinnacle in 2024 when NITI Aayog declared it the top-performing state in the SDG Index, outperforming even the most developed states in the country.
HONOURING EXCELLENCE
The Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards celebrated districts that have excelled in governance, healthcare, law enforcement, education, and women empowerment. Among the standout winners:
- Nainital emerged as the overall champion, securing top honors across multiple categories.
- Dehradun followed closely, winning three awards.
- Udham Singh Nagar was also recognized, with two awards.
“We must ensure that every SDG indicator is met and that Uttarakhand remains a pioneer in governance,” Mr. Sundaram asserted.
The state is poised to not just sustain its position but set new benchmarks for the rest of India.As the Uttarakhand Good Governance Awards 2025 concluded, one thing was clear—this is just the beginning of an even greater success story.
