The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global objectives aimed at benefiting everyone. In 2015, 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly agreed to work towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Global Goals and 169 targets. The idea behind these goals is to ensure that no one is left behind, with countries around the world working together to achieve them.
As the world’s most populous nation, India plays a crucial role in meeting these goals. Recognizing this, India has been actively working towards the SDGs and aligning its efforts with the global agenda. The SDG India Index, created by NITI Aayog, helps track how well India is progressing towards these goals by measuring the performance of different states and Union Territories (UTs) on 113 indicators.
The SDG India Index 2023-24 tracks progress on 16 of the 17 SDGs, with each state and UT receiving scores between 0 and 100. A score of 100 means that a state or UT has achieved its targets for that goal. The higher the score, the closer they are to achieving their targets.
India has shown great commitment to the SDGs since adopting the 2030 Agenda, with NITI Aayog playing a key role in helping states and UTs implement the goals. NITI Aayog also promotes healthy competition between states to improve their performance and ensures that sustainable development is part of the country’s overall growth plan.
Since the SDG India Index was launched in 2018, it has encouraged states to take ownership of their progress and learn from each other. The Index uses a globally recognized method to evaluate progress, and its development involved consultations with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Statistics, Union Ministries, and UN agencies.
India has made significant strides in areas like poverty reduction, job creation, economic growth, climate action, and land protection. Government programs such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, Ayushman Bharat, and Start-up India have all contributed to this progress.
In the 2023-24 SDG Index, India’s overall score improved to 71, up from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018. Scores for states range from 57 to 79, showing substantial improvement since 2018. Significant progress has been made in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land), with Goal 13 showing the biggest improvement.
Between 2018 and 2023-24, the states that improved the most include Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and others. The Index highlights that India has made major strides in areas like clean water, sanitation, energy access, healthcare, and digital infrastructure, all of which have had a positive impact on people’s lives.
Key government interventions include:
– Over 4 crore houses built under PM Awas Yojana,
– 11 crore toilets and community complexes in rural areas,
– 10 crore LPG connections through Ujjwala Yojana,
– Tap water connections in over 14.9 crore households,
– Over 30 crore people benefiting from Ayushman Bharat healthcare,
– ₹34 lakh crore distributed through direct benefit transfers,
– 43 crore loans granted under the PM Mudra Yojana, supporting young entrepreneurs,
– Significant expansion in solar power capacity and renewable energy use,
– Improvement in digital infrastructure with reduced internet costs and increased financial inclusion.
India’s advancements in areas such as poverty reduction, job creation, economic growth, climate action, and renewable energy stand out as examples of how targeted government programs can bring about tangible change. Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which provides affordable housing, Swachh Bharat for sanitation, and Ujjwala for clean cooking fuel have directly improved the quality of life for millions. The government’s emphasis on health through Ayushman Bharat, financial inclusion via Jan Dhan Yojana, and entrepreneurship through PM Mudra Yojana has further accelerated progress in key SDG areas, especially Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action).
India’s transition to renewable energy, particularly the significant expansion of solar power capacity, has also contributed to the nation’s leadership in climate action. The increased use of non-fossil fuel-based energy resources highlights the country’s focus on sustainable, long-term solutions for growth and development. Furthermore, improvements in digital infrastructure and internet affordability have helped boost financial inclusion, enabling more people to access essential services and benefits.
As the country continues to build on these achievements, challenges remain, but the progress thus far is a testament to India’s unwavering commitment to achieving the SDGs. Moving forward, continued collaboration between government agencies, private sectors, civil society, and international organizations will be crucial. By maintaining its focus on inclusive and sustainable development, India is well-positioned to meet the 2030 targets and set an example for other nations to follow. With every step, India is reinforcing its role as a leader in global sustainability, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Overall, India continues to make great progress towards achieving the SDGs, with focused efforts on improving the well-being of its citizens and the environment. India’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is both significant and inspiring, especially in the face of global challenges. As a major player on the world stage, India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda is evident through its proactive measures and the results achieved in a relatively short span of time. The efforts undertaken by the government, in collaboration with states and Union Territories (UTs), have laid a strong foundation for sustainable development. The SDG India Index, developed by NITI Aayog, has not only provided a comprehensive framework for measuring progress but has also fostered a spirit of competition and cooperation among states and UTs, driving them to integrate SDG goals into their development strategies.
Author: Vineet Bhardwaj
Vineet Bhardwaj is Chief Manager (Faculty) at Union Learning Academy for Strategy and Finance at Gurugram. He can be reached at vineet.710@rediffmail.com
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