THE CONTEXT: India has demonstrated remarkable progress in SDG implementation, with its national score rising from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24. This improvement reflects successful policy interventions and targeted development initiatives across multiple sectors. The country’s SDG localization model is based on institutional ownership, collaborative competition, and a whole-of-society approach.
KEY ACHIEVEMENT AREAS IN SDG IMPLEMENTATION:
| Poverty Reduction and Social Development (SDG 1) |
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| Zero Hunger and Food Security (SDG 2) |
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| Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) |
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| Quality Education (SDG 4) |
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| Gender Equality (SDG 5) |
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| Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) |
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| Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) |
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| Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) |
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| Environmental Sustainability Goals (SDG 13) |
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| Life on Land (SDG 15) |
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STATE-WISE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS IN SDG IMPLEMENTATION: The SDG India Index 2023-24, developed by NITI Aayog, evaluates the progress of Indian states and union territories (UTs) toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The index, based on 113 indicators across 16 goals, categorizes states and UTs into four groups: Aspirants (0–49), Performers (50–64), Front Runners (65–99), and Achievers (100).
TOP PERFORMING STATES:
| Kerala (Score:79) |
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| Uttarakhand (Score:79) |
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| Tamil Nadu (Score: 78) |
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| Goa (Score: 77) |
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| Chandigarh (Top Performer in Union territories) |
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| Delhi |
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LAGGING STATES:
| Bihar (Score: 57) |
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| Jharkhand (Score: 62) |
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| Nagaland (Score: 63) |
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IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING SDGS:
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- The Global Financing Gap: The annual SDG financing gap in developing countries has grown from US$2.5 trillion pre-pandemic to US$4.2 trillion post-pandemic. India alone requires an estimated US$ 3.8 trillion to achieve SDG targets across key energy, water, and biodiversity sectors.
- Challenges in Domestic Financing: The share of Union Budget expenditure in GDP declined from 13.3% in 2014-15 to 13.2% in 2019-20, constraining public spending on social and economic services. States and local governments face delays in receiving funds from central schemes, affecting the timely implementation of programs.
- Agricultural Risks: Over 60% of India’s agriculture is rain-fed, making it highly vulnerable to erratic rainfall and extreme weather events. Between 2015 and 2021, India lost 33.9 million hectares of crops due to excess rains and 35 million hectares due to droughts. Climate change could push an additional 132 million people into poverty globally by 2030, with South Asia being disproportionately affected.
- Impact on Food Security: Projections indicate that rainfed rice yields may decline by up to 47% without adaptation measures by 2080, and wheat yields could drop by 40% by the end of the century.
- Decentralization Issues: Despite the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, local governments lack adequate funds, functions, and functionaries (3Fs). Limited capacity at the district level hampers effective SDG localization.
- Monitoring Gaps: Nearly half of global SDG indicators lack sufficient data to track progress. At the national level, India’s National Indicator Framework (NIF) covers over 95% of indicators, but subnational data gaps persist.
- Persistent Inequalities: Gender inequality remains a significant hurdle (SDG 5), with India scoring below 50 on this goal in the SDG India Index 2023-24. Marginalized communities such as SCs, STs, and OBCs face limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
- Migration Pressures: Rural-to-urban migration driven by climate-induced factors like droughts strain urban infrastructure and exacerbate inequalities. By 2050, climate change could displace up to 143 million people globally, with India being a hotspot.
THE WAY FORWARD:
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- Innovative Financing Mechanisms: In FY23, India issued its first sovereign green bonds to finance public sector projects aligned with sustainability goals. These bonds are part of India’s Panchamrit commitments at COP26, including achieving 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 and reducing carbon intensity by 45%. The Karnataka Solar Policy leveraged public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investments worth ₹13,000 crore, boosting renewable energy capacity.
- Integration of Traditional Development with Sustainability: Studies on the Paudi Bhuyan tribe in Odisha highlight sustainable practices like agroforestry and water conservation. Reviving traditional techniques like Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya and stepwells in Rajasthan can promote resource efficiency. NITI Aayog’s eco-tourism projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands demonstrate how traditional practices coexist with modern development.
- Technology and Digital Transformation: Initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, and PMGDISHA have transformed governance and financial inclusion. L&T Finance’s Digital Sakhi Program empowers rural women with digital skills. The SDG India Dashboard provides real-time data for tracking progress at national and subnational levels. AI-driven models can optimize resource allocation in agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management.
- Public-Private Partnership Models: Viability Gap Funding (VGF) schemes incentivize private players to invest in socially impactful projects like metro rail systems. Successful PPPs include Cochin International Airport and Hyderabad Metro Rail. Programs like Saubhagya (electrification) and KUSUM (solar pumps) demonstrate the potential of PPPs in energy access.
- International Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing: India’s development partnerships with African nations focus on capacity building in agriculture, healthcare, and digital transformation. The GoI-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2027) emphasizes the localization of SDGs through a “Leave No One Behind” approach. Life Movement (Lifestyle for Environment) was launched at COP26; this initiative promotes sustainable consumption patterns globally.
THE CONCLUSION:
As India strives to meet the 2030 SDG targets, integrating sustainability with traditional development, leveraging technology, fostering public-private partnerships, and strengthening international cooperation will be critical. With a robust policy framework and community-driven efforts, India can lead the global inclusive and sustainable development agenda.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. 2018
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. With over 60% of India’s agriculture being rain-fed, climate change poses a significant challenge to achieving SDGs such as Zero Hunger and No Poverty. Discuss how climate adaptation strategies and technology-driven solutions can mitigate these vulnerabilities.
SOURCE:
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/navigating-the-sdgs-india-in-the-global-south
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