SDG India Index 2023-24

Source: PIB, The Hindu

Syllabus GS Paper II: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.

Context: The recently released SDG India Index 2023-24 demonstrates significant advancements in multiple areas, despite global challenges.

What is the SDG India index?

First launched in December 2018, the index has become the primary tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs in India.
It has also fostered competition among the states and UTs by ranking them on the global goals.
The index is developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India.
It tracks the progress of all states and UTs on 113 indicators aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

How are states and UTs ranked?

The SDG India Index scores range between 0–100, higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance to target achieved.
States and UTs are classified into four categories based on Index score:
1. Aspirant: 0–49.
2. Performer: 50–64.
3. Front-runner: 65–99.
4. Achiever: 100.

Currently, there are no states in the aspirant and achiever category.

Latest finding of the report:

India’s composite SDG score has improved from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24, reflecting substantial strides towards achieving the SDGs.
All states and Union Territories (UTs) have shown improvement, with scores ranging from 57 to 79.
32 States and UTs in the front-runner category with 10 new entrants.
Between 2018 and 2023-24, the fastest moving States are Uttar Pradesh (increase in score by 25), followed by J&K (21), and Uttarakhand (19).
New front-runners include states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Key SDG achievements:

Goal 1: No Poverty
1. The score increased from 60 in 2020-21 to 72 in 2023-24.
2. Significant reduction in multidimensional poverty, dropping from 24.8% in 2015-16 to an estimated 11.28% in 2022-23.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
1. The score improved from 52 in 2018 to 77 in 2023-24.
2. Key health indicators, such as maternal mortality rate (97) and under-five mortality rate (32), have shown significant improvements.
3. High immunization coverage (93.2%) and institutional deliveries (97.8%) have been crucial contributors.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
1. Improvement in score from 63 in 2018 to 89 in 2023-24.
2. Achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in all districts and high access to improved drinking water sources.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
1. The score increased dramatically from 51 in 2018 to 96 in 2023-24.
2. Universal access to electricity and significant coverage of clean cooking fuels (96% households).
Goal 13: Climate Action
1. The highest increase in score, from 54 in 2020-21 to 67 in 2023-24.
2. Increase in renewable energy capacity and compliance with environmental standards.

Conclusion:

India’s success in adopting, implementing, and monitoring SDGs stands as a testament to the principle of cooperative federalism, envisioned by the government of India and promoted by NITI Aayog.

The index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.

Insta Links:

SDGs vs MDGs- similarities, differences and time period.

SDGs National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2023

UN Sustainable development goals

What is the SDG India Index?

Prelims link

Q. Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016)

1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.

2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only