Hyderabad: Telangana is poised to enter an elite economic league, with its per capita income (PCI) set to cross Rs 4 lakh for the first time — a milestone that would place it among the richest states in India and signal the state’s rapid rise as a high-income economy. According to information available with the TOI, the forthcoming state socio-economic outlook is expected to confirm this significant benchmark.Even after factoring in revised metrics from the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI), Telangana’s PCI is projected to remain above the Rs 4 lakh mark, potentially making it only the third state after Delhi and Goa to achieve this level. MoSPI’s advance estimates for 2024-25 peg Telangana’s PCI at current prices at about Rs 3,79,751, reflecting a robust 9.6% growth over the previous year. At constant prices, the PCI is estimated at Rs 1,87,912, marking a 6.2% increase — indicating strong real income growth beyond inflation.In comparison, MoSPI’s second advance estimates place India’s national per capita income at Rs 2,05,579 at current prices (up 8.8%) and Rs 1,14,705 at constant prices (up 5.4%). This means Telangana’s average income is about 1.8 times the national level at current prices and roughly 1.6 times higher in real terms. A senior economist noted that if sustained, Telangana’s trajectory could significantly reshape the country’s economic map, highlighting the growing concentration of wealth and opportunity in a handful of rapidly industrialising and service-driven states. Per capita income — total income divided by population — serves as a key indicator of average economic well-being and living standards.While Delhi remains among the highest with a PCI nearing Rs 4.9 lakh, and Goa has already crossed Rs 4 lakh with projections around Rs 4.49 lakh, Telangana is increasingly counted among India’s fastest-growing high-income states. Other major economies such as Karnataka (Rs 3.6-3.8 lakh range) and Haryana (above Rs 3.5 lakh) are also approaching the Rs 4 lakh threshold, underscoring a broader shift towards higher incomes in select growth hubs.
