India has made a historic leap in global development by entering the Top 100 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index for the first time. Ranked at 98th position in 2024, India improved its score across several critical development indicators, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
What Is the SDG Index?
The UN SDG Index tracks the performance of countries across 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals include No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Energy, Climate Action, and more. The Index evaluates countries based on data from international agencies and national statistical systems.
India’s 2024 SDG Ranking Highlights
Global Rank: 98 out of 193 countries
Overall SDG Score: 66.2/100
Top Performing Goals:
Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6)
Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7)
Climate Action (Goal 13)
No Poverty (Goal 1)
Lagging Goals:
Gender Equality (Goal 5)
Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10)
Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8)
This improved performance is attributed to stronger governance frameworks, increased focus on renewable energy, and government programs like Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Ujjwala Yojana.
State-Level Contributions
India’s national progress has been significantly influenced by high-performing states, according to the NITI Aayog SDG India Index:
Top States: Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Most Improved States: Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
Key Urban Performers: Chandigarh, Delhi, Pune
These states showed remarkable improvement in healthcare access, sanitation coverage, women's empowerment schemes, and rural electrification.
International Recognition
India’s entry into the Top 100 has been lauded by global development agencies. The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) praised India’s commitment to achieving Agenda 2030, citing its leadership in digital governance, financial inclusion, and climate policy.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress, India continues to face challenges in areas like:
Gender Disparities in employment, education, and leadership
Air Quality and Urban Pollution in metro cities
Income Inequality and informal sector vulnerabilities
Nutrition and Child Health in tribal and rural districts
Efforts are being made through programs like POSHAN Abhiyaan, National Clean Air Programme, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana to address these gaps.
Conclusion
India’s inclusion in the Top 100 SDG Rankings is a landmark achievement, underscoring its growing role as a responsible global leader. While many goals remain unfinished, the nation’s improved performance is a signal of steady, data-driven development. With continued investment in equity, environment, and education, India is on track to further strengthen its global development footprint by 2030.
FAQs
Q1: What is India’s current rank in the SDG Index?
India ranks 98th globally in the 2024 SDG Index, its best position ever.
Q2: What are the top-performing SDG goals for India?
India scored highest in Clean Water & Sanitation, Affordable Energy, Climate Action, and No Poverty.
Q3: Which states lead in India’s SDG performance?
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh lead the state-wise performance, based on NITI Aayog’s SDG Index.
Q4: What are the key programs contributing to SDG success in India?
Major programs include Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat.
Q5: What challenges does India still face in SDG progress?
India struggles with gender equality, urban pollution, child nutrition, and income inequality.
published on 24th june
Publisher : SMITA
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