AIR- Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2023-24 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, outline a global blueprint for a better and more sustainable future. These 17 interconnected goals address critical global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. In India, the NITI Aayog-developed SDG India Index serves as a vital tool to monitor and promote progress at national and sub-national levels. The 2023-24 edition of the SDG India Index is the fourth iteration, providing key insights into India's progress and ongoing challenges in meeting these ambitious goals.

Overview of the SDG India Index 2023-24

Released on July 12th, the SDG India Index 2023-24 evaluates the progress of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) against the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets. The index promotes competitive federalism by encouraging states and UTs to benchmark their progress against each other. Utilizing 113 indicators across 16 goals, the index covers various aspects of human life, including health, education, economic empowerment, gender equality, climate change, and environmental sustainability. This comprehensive approach provides a holistic view of progress, highlighting areas of success and identifying gaps that need attention.

Key Findings and Progress

• The SDG India Index 2023-24 reveals significant progress across several goals, with India's overall score rising from 57 in 2018 to 71 in the latest report.
• Notable advancements were seen in states and UTs, with Uttarakhand and Kerala leading the states and Chandigarh topping the UT list.
• Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest score increase, rising by 25 points from 2018 to 2023-24, followed by notable 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 exceptional progress, moving from the 'aspirant' to the 'front runner' category.
• Goals like 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 significant improvements.

Government Interventions and Policy Impact

• The progress highlighted in the SDG India Index is largely due to various government interventions across multiple sectors.
• Initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat have been instrumental in enhancing housing, sanitation, access to clean cooking fuel, and healthcare services.
• Government efforts to provide free food under the National Food Security Act and to increase electrification and renewable energy capacity have significantly contributed to these advancements.
• Key achievements include the construction of over 4 crore houses under PMAY and the establishment of 1.5 lakh health and wellness centers.

Way Forward

Despite the significant progress highlighted by the SDG India Index 2023-24, sustained efforts are essential to achieve the 2030 targets. Policymakers can use the insights from the index to identify gaps and prioritize areas needing focused attention. Continuously improving the index's methodology and indicators ensures it remains a robust monitoring and evaluation tool. 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. To maintain momentum and address remaining challenges, continuous and focused efforts are needed.

Conclusion

The SDG India Index 2023-24 offers a comprehensive assessment of India's progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The notable improvements across various goals and states indicate that India is on a positive trajectory. Achieving the 2030 targets will require sustained efforts, effective policy interventions, and active participation from all stakeholders. The index not only serves as a monitoring tool but also fosters competitive federalism, encouraging states and UTs to strive for excellence in sustainable development. As India progresses towards 2030, the SDG India Index will continue to be an invaluable resource for guiding and measuring progress.