SDG INDIA INDEX - REPORTS AND INDICES 

News: Release of SDG India Index 2023-24

 

What's in the news?

       The fourth edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index has been published by NITI Aayog.

 

Key takeaways:

       The composite score for India improved from 57 in 2018 to 66 in 2020-21 to further to 71 in 2023-24.

       Kerala and Uttarakhand as the best-performing states with a score of 79 points each.

       Bihar is at the bottom of the index with 57 points, followed by Jharkhand at 62 points.

 

SDG India Index:

       It was first Launched in 2018 to drive SDG localization efforts.

 

Focus:

       It provides a comparative analysis of state and UT progress on SDGs and fosters collaboration by highlighting achievements and encouraging mutual learning among states and UTs.

 

Released by - Niti Aayog

 

Methodology:

       It computes goal-wise scores on the 16 SDGs for each State and UT.

       These scores range between 0–100, and if a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies it has achieved the targets.

       The higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance covered to the target.

 

 

Key Highlights of the SDG India Index 2023-24:

1. Composite Score Improvement:

       India’s composite score improved significantly from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24.

       This progression reflects enhanced national efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 2. Noteworthy Goal Achievements:

a. Front Runner Goals:

       Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action) have entered the ‘Front Runner’ category (scores between 65-99).

 

b. Goal 13 (Climate Action):

       This goal saw the most substantial improvement, rising from 54 to 67, indicating enhanced focus on climate-related initiatives.

 

c. Goal 1 (No Poverty):

       Goal 1 also showed significant progress, increasing from 60 to 72, highlighting effective poverty alleviation measures.

 

3. Sector-specific Progress:

       Significant strides in Goals 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, and 11 were noted, underscoring advancements in areas like health, sanitation, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

       Government initiatives such as PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and others have contributed to these improvements.

 

4. State and UT Performance:

a. Performance Range:

       State scores range from 57 to 79, while UTs score between 65 and 77.

 

b. Increase in Front Runners:

       The number of States/UTs achieving Front Runner status increased to 32, up from 22 in the previous edition.

 

c. Notable Performers:

       There are 10 new States and UTs in the Front Runner category.

       These include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.