Introduction
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all, adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member States. These 17 interconnected goals address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. In India, the SDG India Index, developed by NITI Aayog, serves as a critical tool to monitor and encourage progress at the national and sub-national levels.The SDG India Index 2023-24 marks the fourth edition of this pivotal report, providing valuable insights into India’s strides and ongoing challenges in achieving these ambitious goals.
Overview of the SDG India Index 2023-24
- The SDG India Index 2023-24, released on July 12th, measures the progress of states and Union Territories (UTs) in India against the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets.
- The index assesses national and sub-national performance and fosters a sense of competitive federalism, encouraging states and UTs to benchmark themselves against others.
- The index uses 113 indicators across 16 goals, reflecting various aspects of human life, such as health, education, economic empowerment, gender equality, climate change, and environmental sustainability.
- This comprehensive approach ensures the index provides a holistic view of progress, highlighting areas of success and identifying gaps needing attention.
Key Findings and Progress
- The SDG India Index 2023-24 shows significant progress across several goals, with India’s overall score improving from 57 in 2018 to 71 in the latest report.
- Specific states and UTs have demonstrated remarkable advancements, with Uttarakhand and Kerala leading the states and Chandigarh topping the list among UTs.
- Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest increase in its score, rising by 25 points from 2018 to 2023-24, followed by significant progress in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Haryana, and Assam.
- Goals such as Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 13 (Climate Action) have shown particularly remarkable progress, moving from the ‘aspirant’ to the ‘front runner’ category.
- Other goals, including Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), have also seen considerable progress.
Government Interventions and Policy Impact
- The progress reflected in the SDG India Index is largely attributed to various government interventions across multiple sectors.
- Programs like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat have played crucial roles in improving housing, sanitation, access to clean cooking fuel, and healthcare services.
- The government’s efforts in providing free food under the National Food Security Act and enhancing electrification and renewable energy capacity have significantly contributed to these advancements.
- Government interventions have been pivotal in achieving the observed improvements, such as the construction of over 4 crore houses under PMAY and the establishment of 1.5 lakh health and wellness centers.
Way Forward
- While the SDG India Index 2023-24 highlights significant progress, it also underscores the need for sustained efforts to achieve the 2030 targets.
- Policymakers can leverage the insights from the index to identify gaps and prioritize areas that require focused attention.
- The continuous enhancement of the index’s methodology and indicators ensures it remains a robust tool for monitoring and evaluation.
- Strengthening public awareness and engagement is crucial for achieving the SDGs, requiring collaborative efforts from government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and academic institutions.
- Moving forward, it is essential to maintain the momentum and address the remaining challenges.
Conclusion
- The SDG India Index 2023-24 provides a comprehensive assessment of India’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Significant improvements across various goals and states indicate that India is on a positive trajectory.
- Achieving the 2030 targets requires sustained efforts, effective policy interventions, and active participation from all stakeholders.
- The index not only serves as a monitoring tool but also as a catalyst for fostering competitive federalism and encouraging states and UTs to strive for excellence in sustainable development.
- As India continues its journey towards 2030, the SDG India Index will remain an invaluable resource for guiding and measuring progress.
Sansad TV : Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2023-24 [PDF]
