Reflecting on India's SDGs Achievements on UN Day
Dr. S P Sharma
United Nations Day, observed every year on October 24, marks the anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. This day serves as a reminder of the UN's crucial role in promoting peace, security, and international cooperation to address pressing global challenges. In 2024, the celebration holds special significance as the world grapples with multiple crises, necessitating collaborative solutions.
United Nations Day is an opportunity to reflect on the UN's achievements and ongoing efforts to foster global cooperation. This year, the observance focusses on the theme of "Decent Work and Economic Growth" (SDG 8) and "Partnerships for the Goals" (SDG 17). These Sustainable Development Goals emphasise the importance of measuring progress in sustainable development beyond traditional economic indicators like GDP. Instead, they highlight the need for a holistic approach that includes aspects such as the circular economy, ecological diversity, and social justice.
India's Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals
As we celebrate United Nations Day, it's an opportune moment to reflect on India's remarkable journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a commitment to creating a sustainable future for all, India has made significant strides across various dimensions of development.
From eradicating poverty and ensuring quality education to promoting gender equality and sustainable cities, India's efforts have been instrumental in advancing these global goals. Initiatives such as the PoshanAbhiyan, aimed at improving nutritional outcomes, and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, focussed on sanitation and hygiene, exemplify the nation's dedication to sustainable development.
Moreover, India's leadership in renewable energy, with ambitious targets for solar and wind energy, showcases a robust commitment to combating climate change while ensuring energy security.
Over the years, India has prioritised economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable, aiming to create decent work opportunities for all. Initiatives aimed at skill development, entrepreneurship, and job creation have been pivotal in reducing poverty and inequality. Moreover, India has fostered international partnerships to enhance collaboration on sustainable development efforts.
As the visionary Mahatma Gandhi once said, "What we do in the present determines what happens in the future." As people around the world work to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, this profound truth is particularly relevant. These are not just dreams; they represent a worldwide commitment to end poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee prosperity and peace for all.
India's path towards achieving these objectives is a source of inspiration and advancement, demonstrating the transformative potential of strategic policy, teamwork, and steadfast resolve.
NITI Aayog's introduction of the SDG India Index 2023-24 is a critical turning point in this process. It presents a comprehensive picture of India's progress toward sustainable development, taking into account both the country's achievements and upcoming difficulties.
Recently, in a significant geopolitical shift, India has surpassed Japan to become the third most powerful country in Asia according to the esteemed Asia Power Index. This development, announced on September 24, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in India's ascent on the global stage and reflects the changing dynamics of power in the Asia-Pacific region. This accomplishment is a reflection of India's growing economic prowess, dynamic diplomacy, and strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific region. The index assesses 27 nations using eight thematic metrics. The eight parameters include (1) economic capability, (2) military capability, (3) resilience, (4) future resources, (5) economic relationships, (6) defence networks, (7) diplomatic influence, and (8) cultural influence.
India's success in achieving the SDGs is a tale of tenacity and innovation. The country continues to demonstrate that equitable development is a journey of ongoing growth and improvement rather than just a goal, as seen by its pioneering efforts in renewable energy and large-scale social programmes. India's solar power capacity, for example, increased dramatically from 2.82 GW in 2014 to an astounding 73.32 GW in 2023, demonstrating the country's commitment to renewable energy and climate change.Through the lens of the SDG India Index, we are able to examine this journey and identify areas that have made extraordinary success as well as those that need more attention and vigour. India's composite SDG score increased dramatically from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24, according to the index. The nation's dedication to coordinating its growth trajectory with the global sustainable development agenda is evident in this outstanding improvement. Not only are numbers used to quantify this progress, but it's also quantified in terms of lives transformed, communities strengthened, and ecosystems maintained.
Yet, the path to 2030 is fraught with challenges. The disparities in progress among different states and union territories underscore the need for targeted interventions and inclusive strategies. The index shows that while some states have achieved "Front Runner" status, scoring between 65 and 99, others still lag behind, with scores ranging from 57 to 79 for states and 65 to 77 for UTs. As we navigate these challenges, this Index serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, providing insights that inform better decisions and foster a more coordinated approach to sustainable development. As we delve into the detailed findings of the SDG India Index 2023-24, it is essential to recognise the broader implications of India's journey.
India's story is one of hope, determination, and relentless pursuit of a better future. The SDG India Index 2023-24 is a reflection of this story, capturing the essence of a nation committed to making a meaningful difference in the world. As we look ahead, the index not only measures progress but also inspires continued efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind in this global mission for sustainability and equity.
Launch and Overview of the SDG India Index 2023-24
The fourth iteration of the SDG India Index 2023-24 was introduced by NITI Aayog, the policy think tank of the Government of India. The index uses 113 indicators that are in line with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to assess and track progress throughout the states and union territories (UTs) of India.
India's progress in SDGs
For each state and UT, the SDG India Index calculates goal-wise scores on 16 of the 17 SDGs, with the total composite score representing the overall performance. These scores, which go from 0 to 100, show how near a state or UT is to reaching the SDG goals. A score of 100 indicates complete achievement.
India's progress on UN sustainable development goals
Year SDG India Index
2018-19 57
2019-20 60
2020-21 66
2023-24 71
Source: Sustainability Report 2023; The SDG India Index overlaps with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, except for #17
Key Highlights and Results
1. Composite Score Improvement: India's composite score increased from 57 in 2018-19 to 71 in 2023-2024. Significant progress has been made in SDG performance at the national level, as seen by this upward trend. This improvement is a result of various levels of government focussing their efforts and strategically intervening to align their policies and programmes with the SDGs' overarching goals. This table illustrates the steady improvement in India's SDG composite score over the years, highlighting the nation's ongoing commitment to sustainable development.
2. Advancements in Specific Goals: Significant progress has been noted in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action) have made significant strides and are now classified as "Front Runners" (scoring between 65 and 99). The goals that improved the most were 13 and 1, respectively, going from 54 to 67 and 60 to 72 points, higher than the other goals. This development highlights the efficacy of India's anti-poverty and climate action programmes, which have been key factors in these advancements.
3. Substantial Progress Since 2018: Since the first edition of the index, substantial progress has been observed in several key SDGs, including Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The advancements in these areas highlight the successful implementation of health, sanitation, energy, and infrastructure projects that are crucial for sustainable development.
4. Government Initiatives: The improvement in scores reflects the impact of various government initiatives aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security, health, education, electrification, housing for all, sanitation, clean cooking fuel, and energy access. Programmes such as the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (PMAY) for housing, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for sanitation, and the UjjwalaYojana for clean cooking fuel have played pivotal roles in driving these improvements.
State and UT Performance
1. Positive Trends:
• The SDG India Index 2023-24 indicates a positive trend in the performance of states and UTs, with scores ranging from 57 to 79 for states and 65 to 77 for UTs. This represents an improvement over the 2020-21 scores. The range of scores reflects the varying degrees of progress made by different states and UTs, highlighting areas of strength as well as those needing more attention.
2. Increase in Front Runner States and UTs:
• The number of states and UTs achieving Front Runner status increased significantly. In this edition, 32 states/UTs scored between 65 and 99, compared to 22 in the previous edition. Ten new states and UTs have entered the Front Runner category, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. This increase indicates a broader and more inclusive improvement across the country.
3. Top Improvers:
• Assam, Manipur, Punjab, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir led in terms of score improvement, each showing a positive change of 8 points since the 2020-21. These improvements are a result of targeted efforts and policy interventions at the state level, addressing specific local challenges and opportunities for development.
The remarkable progress in the SDG scores is attributed to various targeted government interventions. Programmes such as the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (PMAY), UjjwalaYojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Jan DhanYojana, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, AyushmanArogyaMandir, PM-Mudra Yojana, Saubhagya Scheme, and Start-up India have significantly contributed to these improvements. These initiatives have focussed on ensuring food and nutrition security, health, education, electrification, housing for all, sanitation, clean cooking fuel, and energy. The emphasis on renewable energy has also played a crucial role, with India's solar power capacity increasing from 2.82 GW to 73.32 GW over the past decade.
Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities:
• The SDG India Index offers a robust framework for states and UTs to benchmark their performance and identify areas requiring attention. By providing a clear and measurable assessment of progress, the index enables policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively.
• The significant progress in specific goals, particularly in poverty alleviation and climate action, showcases the effectiveness of targeted interventions and can guide future policy and programmatic efforts. For example, successful programmes and initiatives can be scaled up or replicated in other regions to drive further improvements.
• India's model of using the SDG Index can serve as an example for other countries looking to implement similar monitoring frameworks to track their SDG progress. The comprehensive approach adopted by India can be adapted to different contexts, providing valuable lessons and best practices for global SDG implementation.
Challenges:
• Despite improvements, there remain significant disparities among states and UTs, which pose a challenge to achieving uniform progress across the country. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions and support to lagging regions, ensuring that no state or UT is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
• Continued efforts are required to ensure that no region is left behind, particularly in the context of economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. This includes addressing systemic issues such as inequality, access to resources, and institutional capacity.
Insights and Global Implications
The results of the SDG India Index are significant not only for India but also for other countries in their pursuit of accelerating progress on the SDGs. The comprehensive approach adopted by India in measuring and tracking SDG performance provides valuable insights into the potential of focussed interventions and schemes to drive substantial progress. The index's methodology and the subsequent policy actions inspired by its findings can serve as a model for other nations.
By analysing the success factors and challenges faced by India, other countries can adapt and implement similar strategies to enhance their own SDG performance. For instance, the emphasis on data-driven decision-making, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and continuous monitoring and evaluation has been instrumental in driving India's progress. These principles can be applied in different contexts to achieve similar outcomes.
Conclusion
India has made significant strides in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals, as evidenced by the SDG India Index 2023-24. The government's targeted actions have shown to be effective, as seen by the improvements in composite scores at both the national and subnational levels. Still, more work is required to close the gaps between states and UTs and guarantee inclusive and comprehensive growth. Lessons learnt and best practices found through the SDG India Index can guide and motivate global efforts towards sustainable development as other nations turn to India as an example.
In order to measure progress, spot gaps, and direct policy actions towards achieving the SDGs, the SDG India Index is an essential instrument. Its achievement is attributed to its capacity to offer an all-encompassing and transparent evaluation of SDG performance, encouraging responsibility and propelling ongoing progress. The SDG India Index will provide essential insights and lessons for directing global efforts towards a sustainable and equitable future as the 2030 deadline approaches.
(The author is Chief Economist | DSG, PHDCCI. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com).
Views expressed are personal.