The three southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana emerged as the top performers among the 'larger states' in the NITI Aayog's annual 'health index' for the Covid year of 2020-21, The Indian Express has learnt.

While Tripura was the best among the 'smaller states', Delhi ranked at the bottom of the Union territories' list.

The annual health index, which measures the performance of states and UTs on a 'weighted composite score incorporating 24 health performance indicators', was launched by the NITI Aayog in 2017. The Aayog brings out the index in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry and World Bank.

While the 2020-21 (fifth) health index report was supposed to be released by December 2022, it has not been made public yet. The NITI Aayog is learnt to have shared the report - Healthy States Progressive India Report on the Ranks of States and Union Territories - with the Health Ministry.