The award was presented by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen at JRD Tata Memorial Award and Oration function held in New Delhi on Tuesday, according to Jajpur district Collector Anil Kumar Samal.
Samal, who received the award instituted by Population Foundation of India (PFI), said Jajpur was chosen for outstanding performance in improving the health of the people in the district in recent years.
The award comprises a trophy and prize money of Rs two lakh.
Six districts across the country were selected on the basis of 13 indicators, for which data were compiled and re-analysed from two successive rounds of district-level household survey (2002-04 and 2007-08) and census 2001 and 2011, he said.
The award, given by PFI in memory of its Founder Chairman JRD Tata, recognises the pace of progress by states and districts on population and reproductive health programmes.
Samal said 13 indicators have been identified on reproductive health, gender equity, family planning and housing amenities to measure the progress of the districts in the country. The award recognises the 'change' factor, signifying the pace of progress achieved over a period of time.