Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, created in November 2000, entered their 25th year in 2025 with the same expectations: better governance, faster development, and protection of their cultural identity.
But two-and-a-half decades later, their growth paths are strikingly different. While Uttarakhand moved ahead, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh continue to struggle despite having far more natural resources.
A Tale of Three States Formed in November 2000
November is often called the “mother month” of India’s state formation.
Among the 14 states reorganised or created in November, the three new states—Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh—were born with similar dreams of development and empowerment.
In 25 years, all three achieved progress, but Uttarakhand stands out despite facing disasters and migration problems.
The big question remains:
Why did mineral-rich Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh fall behind a resource-poor state like Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand Leads on Income, Literacy & Poverty Reduction
Although Uttarakhand has very few minerals, the state outperforms the other two on almost every development indicator.
📌 Per Capita Income (2024–25)
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Uttarakhand: ₹2.65 lakh
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Chhattisgarh: ₹1.45 lakh
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Jharkhand: ₹95,000
📌 GDP Growth (2023–24)
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Uttarakhand: 8.2%
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Chhattisgarh: 7.9%
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Jharkhand: 6.8%
📌 Poverty Levels (NITI Aayog 2023)
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Jharkhand: 36.9%
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Chhattisgarh: 29.1%
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Uttarakhand: 17.2%
📌 Literacy Rate
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Uttarakhand: 88.3%
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Chhattisgarh: 77.3%
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Jharkhand: 71.4%
These numbers clearly show that natural wealth did not convert into equal development, especially for Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Mineral Wealth, But Development Gap Widens
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are among India’s richest states in minerals:
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Jharkhand: coal, iron, uranium
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Chhattisgarh: iron ore, coal, bauxite
2023 Mineral Revenue
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Jharkhand: ₹28,000 crore
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Chhattisgarh: ₹22,000 crore
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Uttarakhand: ₹1,200 crore (mostly from hydropower)
Despite massive mineral earnings, both states lag behind economically—mainly due to poor governance, corruption, political instability, and Naxal conflict.
Challenges Holding Back Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh
1. Political Instability in Jharkhand
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11 Chief Ministers in 24 years
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3 times under President’s Rule
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High-profile corruption scandals
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Massive ₹1.86 lakh crore coal scam
2. Governance Issues in Both States
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Mining corruption
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Weak institutional framework
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Poor administrative structure at formation
3. Naxalism & Security Problems
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Jharkhand affected in 18 districts
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Chhattisgarh affected in 10 districts
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Tribals displaced:
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2.5 million in Jharkhand
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1.8 million in Chhattisgarh
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4. Environmental Damage
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40% of Jharkhand’s forests impacted by mining
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Deforestation protests in Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Aranya
Why Uttarakhand Pulled Ahead
1. Stable Leadership
Leaders like N.D. Tiwari built a strong administrative base in the early years.
2. Strong Governance & Safer Environment
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No caste conflict
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No Naxal presence
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Stable bureaucracy inherited from Uttar Pradesh
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Investor-friendly environment
3. Tourism & Hydropower-Driven Growth
Uttarakhand created a clean, transparent image, attracting investment in:
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Tourism
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Hydropower
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Services
4. Better Social Indicators
Higher literacy, lower poverty, and a more efficient administrative setup improved long-term development.
But Uttarakhand Also Faces Serious Problems
Uttarakhand’s success story is not flawless.
1. Large-Scale Migration
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Over 1,500 villages abandoned
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Nearly 1 million youth migrated for jobs
2. Disaster Vulnerability
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2013 Kedarnath flood
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2023 Joshimath land subsidence
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Annual losses around ₹5,000 crore
3. No Lokayukta, Rising Corruption
Governments remain hesitant to implement strong anti-corruption systems.
4. Growing Economic Inequality
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Plains districts like Haridwar earn almost double compared to hill districts like Chamoli and Pauri
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40% of state GDP comes from only three plains districts
The Road Ahead for the Three States
What Jharkhand Needs
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Strong tribal welfare fund
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Strict enforcement of PESA Act
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50% local employment in mining projects
What Chhattisgarh Should Strengthen
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Expand the proven food security model
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Promote organic farming globally
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Improve industrial transparency
What Uttarakhand Must Focus On
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Political stability
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Lokayukta for anti-corruption
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Strong disaster management
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Balanced growth across hills and plains
