On 12th July 2024, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released the 4th edition of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index for 2023-24 in New Delhi, Delhi. Overall, SDG score of India improved from 66 points (in 2020-21) to 71 points (in 2023-24). This increase is due to the significant progress made in poverty reduction, economic growth,climate action and life on land.
- As per the index, Kerala has retained its top ranking among states for the 4th consecutive time. But, this time Kerala shares the top spot with Uttarakhand with a composite score of 79 points.
- While, Bihar (with score of 57 points) has been adjudged as the worst performing state in SDG India Index 2023-24, followed by Jharkhand (62) and Nagaland (63).
- Among Union Territories (UTs),top 5 performers were: Chandigarh (77)topped the index followed by Jammu & Kashmir (J&K)(74), Puducherry(74), Andaman Nicobar Islands (70) and Delhi(70).
Note: The SDG India Index 2023–24 is also live on an online dashboard. The dashboard provides user friendly visualizations to identify crucial development outcome based gaps at the national and subnational levels.
Key People: The index was launched by Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog. The launch event was attended by eminent dignitaries such as: B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NITI Aayog; Shombi Sharp, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in India; Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog and Isabelle Tschan Harada, Deputy Resident Representative, United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
About SDG India Index 2023-24:
i.The index measured and monitored the national progress of all states and UTs on 113 indicators which is in alignment with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF).
ii.It computes goal-wise scores on the 16 SDGs for each state and UT based on their performance across the 16 SDGs, these score range between 0-100.
- If a State or UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies it has achieved the 2030 targets.
- Different criteria of SDG score: Aspirant (0-49), Performer (50-64), Front-Runner (65-99), Achiever (100).
iii.The index has not included SDG goal 14 in the calculation of the composite score for the index as it solely limited to the 9 coastal states.
iv.The index showed that out of the 16 goals, India’s overall score is below 50 except on the Goal 5 (gender equality).
v.The SDG India Index has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the United Nations(UN), and the Global Green Growth Institute(GGGI).
Progress Made By India in SDGs:
India has taken significant strides in accelerating progress on the SDGs between the 2020-21 and 2023-24 editions of the Index.
- Noteworthy advancements have been observed in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action). These are now in the ‘Front Runner’ category (a score between 65–99).
- Among these, Goal 13 (Climate Action) has shown the most substantial improvement, with its score increasing from 54 to 67. Goal 1 (No Poverty) follows closely, with its score rising significantly from 60 to 72.
- Since 2018, India has witnessed substantial progress in several key SDGs. Significant progress has been made in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 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).
Progress Made By Indian States/UTs in SDGs:
i.The index showed that 32 States/ UTs have scored between 65 and 99, which increased from 22 in the 2021-2022 edition.
ii.The index featured 10 new states and UTs in the Front Runner category: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
iii.It revealed that there is an increase in composite scores across all states with improvements ranging from 1 to 8 points. States like: Assam, Manipur, Punjab, West Bengal, and J&K, each saw an increase of 8 points since the 2021-22 edition.
iv.As per the index, Uttar Pradesh (UP) was the fastest moving state between 2018 and 2023-24 as it increased its score by 25, followed by J&K (+21), Uttarakhand (+19) and Sikkim.
v.The index showed a positive outlook in the performance of States and UTs SDG’s scores. Now, the scores for states range from 57 to 79, while UTs score between 65 and 77.
vi.Goal 13 (Climate Action) saw the highest increase in score from 54 (in 2020-21) to 67 (in 2023-24) followed by Goal 1(No Poverty) from 60 (in 2020-21) to 72 (in 2023-24).
vii.Goal1 (No Poverty), Goal 8(Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 13 (Climate Action) are now in the ‘Front Runner’ category, a score between 65 and 99.
The Top-5 and Bottom -5 States in SDG India Index 2023-24:
| Rank | Best Performers | Score | Worst Performers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kerala , Uttarakhand | 79 | Bihar | 57 |
| 2nd | Tamil Nadu (TN) | 78 | Jharkhand | 62 |
| 3rd | Goa, Himachal Pradesh (HP) | 77 | Nagaland, Meghalaya | 63 |
| 4th | Punjab, Sikkim | 76 | Arunachal Pradesh(AR), Assam | 65 |
| 5th | Karnataka | 75 | Odisha | 66 |
Goal wise Top States:
i.Goal-1 (No Poverty): Tamil Nadu (TN) topped among States, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu topped among UTs.
ii.Goal-2 (Zero Hunger): Kerala topped among States and Puducherry topped among UTs.
iii.Goal-3 (Good Health & Well Being): Gujarat topped among States and Delhi topped among UTs.
iv.Goal-4 (Quality Education): Kerala topped among States and Delhi topped among UTs.
v.Goal-5 (Gender Equality): Nagaland topped among States and Lakshadweep topped among UTs.
vi.Goal-6 (Clean Water & Sanitation): Goa topped among States, Andaman & Nicobar Islands topped among UTs.
vii. Goal-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Andhra Pradesh(AP) topped among States, followed by Assam, Goa and Himachal Pradesh(HP), among others.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands topped among UTs, followed by Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir( J & K) and Ladakh.
viii.Goal-8 (Decent work and Economic Growth): Himachal Pradesh(HP) topped among States and Ladakh topped among UTs
ix.Goal-9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Goa topped among States and Puducherry topped among UTs.
x.Goal-10 (Reduced Inequality): Goa topped among States and Puducherry topped among UTs.
xi.Goal-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Maharashtra topped among States and Chandigarh topped among UTs.
xii.Goal-12 (Responsible Consumption & Production): Tripura topped among State and J&K topped among UTs.
xiii.Goal-13(Climate Action): Sikkim topped among States followed by Tamil Nadu(TN) and Chandigarh topped among UTs.
xiv.Goal-14 (Life Below Water): West Bengal(WB) topped among States.
xv.Goal-15 (Life on land): Jharkhand and Tripura are the top performers among States. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu are the top performers among UTs.
xvi.Goal-16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Gujarat topped among States, Ladakh topped among UTs.
Key Interventions Supported SDG Achievements:
i.As per the index, more than 4 crore houses were built under the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY), 11 crore toilets and 2.23 lakh community sanitary complexes in rural areas of the country.
ii.Government of India (GoI) has provided 10 crore Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).
iii.Over 80 crore people have been covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
iv.Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has covered over 30 crore beneficiaries and has provided access to 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir which offer primary medical care and provide generic medicines.
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog):
Chairperson- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Vice-Chairperson- Suman Bery
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – B.V.R. Subrahmanyam
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established in- 2015
