The Planning Commission has decided to prepare State Development Reports (SDRs) for all States and Union Territories of India. The objective in bringing out these reports is to provide a credible independent quality reference document on the development profile, set out strategies for accelerating the growth rate of States, lessen disparities and reduce poverty. The SDR is meant to discuss the constraints and challenges faced by a State and provide a vision, blueprint or a roadmap for its socio-economic progress.

Each SDR is being prepared with the assistance of reputed expert national-level agencies, under the supervision of a Core Committee, headed by a Member of the Planning Commission, and including a senior representative of the State Government. The publication of the West Bengal Development Report follows the recently published SDRs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, while SDRs of many other States and Union Territories are under various stages of preparation.

The West Bengal Development Report reviews the experience of West Bengal and highlights issues critical for the State's development in the years ahead. The report is expected to be an important value document and will impart value for development practitioners interested in the State and act as a road map for accelerated growth in the future.