One State, Two Jharkhands

This opinion article examines the persistent inequalities in human development across Jharkhand, highlighting the contrast between relatively prosperous urban and industrial centres and rural and tribal communities that continue to experience significant socioeconomic disadvantages. Drawing on development indicators, including findings from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the article discusses disparities in healthcare, nutrition, education and access to essential public services. It argues that improvements in state-level indicators can obscure inequalities between districts and population groups. The article calls for a more equitable and evidence-based development strategy that prioritises underserved communities, strengthens essential public services and uses disaggregated data to identify persistent gaps. It emphasises the importance of targeted interventions, particularly in districts where rural and tribal populations face overlapping disadvantages.