First Human Development Report published by UNDP in 1990 introduced a new approach for advancing human wellbeing. Human development – or the human development approach – is about expanding the richness of human life, rather than simply the richness of the economy in which human beings live. It is an approach that is focused on people and their opportunities and choices. This approach targets to enhance human capabilities directly by achieving (a) long and healthy life, (b) knowledge and (c) decent standard of living. In other words this report highlights three important pillars which are: Education, Health and Livelihood. In recent times human development report also focuses on creating conditions for human development in the form of (a) participation in political and community life, (b) environmental sustainability, (c) human security and rights and (d) promoting equity and social justice.

The report is prepared in order to create documentation of the issues in human development at disaggregated level. The main objective of the preparation of district human development report is to transform the process of development and planning with full participation of all stakeholders. District Human Development Report aims at getting deeper understanding of the issues at the district level and thus help in formulation of developmental policies through human development prism. District Human Development Report is expected to be input for deliberations of the District Planning Committee for the preparation of district plans.

Adopting this approach, this Department has supported various districts for preparation of the District Human Development Report (DHDR) since 2006. The DHDR traces the richness of human life in the district at the disaggregate level. It also helps better understanding of the ground realties which helps in formulation of development policies focusing on people and their opportunities and choices.