NITI Aayog’s Fiscal Health Index, which ranks Odisha as the fiscally healthiest among 18 states, is critically examined. While its strong performance in debt sustainability, revenue mobilisation, and fiscal prudence reflects significant improvement since the early 2000s, the article argues that fiscal achievements have not translated into commensurate human development. Odisha continues to lag in child stunting, maternal mortality, women’s anaemia and access to clean cooking fuel. The article proposes a composite development index integrating fiscal........

© EPW