According to Transparency International, which Indian state ranked highest in budgetary practices followed by states?

Introduction / Context:
Budgetary practices reflect how transparent and accountable a government is when it comes to public finances. Transparency International and similar organisations sometimes rank states based on how clearly and openly they present budget information. This question asks which Indian state topped such a ranking for budgetary practices among states.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The ranking is associated with Transparency International.
- It assesses budgetary practices at the state level in India.
- The options are Manipur, Assam, Bihar and Telangana.
- Only one of these states secured the top position in the ranking.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is recall of a specific current affairs fact related to governance and transparency. Assam received recognition for having relatively strong and open budgetary practices, such as clear documents, accessible information and citizen friendly communication of budget data. By remembering this, students can identify the correct option when presented in examinations.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand that the question is about ranking of states based on budgetary transparency and practices. Step 2: Recall news that highlighted Assam as performing strongly in this area according to Transparency International. Step 3: Compare the recollection with the four options provided. Step 4: Select Assam as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, students can associate this question with broader discussions about good governance and reforms in northeastern states. Reports on the study specifically mentioned that Assam topped the list in budgetary practices. Although other states such as Bihar or Telangana might be progressing in their own ways, the headline that appeared in newspapers and exam material was about Assam's position in that particular ranking.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Manipur: Another northeastern state, but it did not secure the top rank in the referenced study.
- Bihar: A large state with major fiscal challenges, not cited as number one in this ranking.
- Telangana: A relatively new state that is developing its systems, but it was not named the top performer in the Transparency International assessment of budgetary practices.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may assume that more economically advanced or larger states automatically lead in transparency rankings. Others might confuse this assessment with different indices such as ease of doing business or human development. It is important to associate this specific ranking with budget transparency and remember that Assam was highlighted in the context of this particular report.

Final Answer:
The state that topped the ranking in budgetary practices according to Transparency International is Assam.