The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the following publications on Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2025, along with another two reports.

About SDGs NIF

• The SDGs NIF serves as the backbone for monitoring SDGs at the national level, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and the implementing agencies of various schemes and programs. 
• The National Indicator Framework -2025 tracked 284 indicators across 17 SDG goals, compared to 290 indicators tracked last year.
• The major data sources for these SDG national indicators are administrative data, surveys and censuses. 

Key highlights from the SDG NIF Progress Report 2025

• SDG 1: The proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions has declined from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% 2019-21.
• The population covered by social protection systems/floors has increased from 22% in 2016 to 64.3% in 2025, indicating substantial expansion in social security coverage in the country.
• SDG 2: The Gross Value Added in agriculture per worker (in Rs.) has increased from 61,247 in 2015-16 to 94,110 in 2024-25, indicating improved agricultural productivity and income per worker in the country.
• SDG 3: Neo mortality rate (per 1000 live births) reduced from 21 (2025) to 19 (2021).
• SDG 6: Percentage of population using an improved drinking water source in rural areas has increased from 94.57% in 2015-16 to 99.62% in 2024-25, indicating significant progress toward universal safe water access in rural India.
• SDG 7: The renewable energy share in the total installed electricity generation has increased from 16.02 in 2015-16 to 22.13 in 2024-25, indicating consistent progress toward cleaner and sustainable energy generation in the country.
  • The installed renewable energy generating capacity in the country has increased from 64.04 watts per capita in 2014-15 to 156.31 watts per capita 2024-25, indicating a strong push toward sustainable energy development.
• SDG 9: The number of waste recycling plants installed have increased from 829 in 2019-20 to 3036 in 2024- 25, indicating a significant strengthening of waste management infrastructure.
• SDG 9: The number of start-ups recognised under start-up India have increased from 453 in 2016 to 34,293 in 2024, showing strong growth in entrepreneurship across the country.
• SDG 10: The Gini coefficient of household expenditure has decreased from 0.283 in 2011-12 to 0.237 in 2023-24 in rural areas. Also, for urban areas it has decreased from 0.363 in 2011-12 to 0.284 in 2023-24, showing a clear move toward more equal spending and reduced income inequality across both regions.
• SDG 11: The percentage of waste processed has increased from 17.97% in 2015-16 to 80.7% in 2024-25, indicating significant progress in waste management efficiency in the country.
• SDG 12: The reduction in emissions intensity of GDP in 2020 over 2005 level is 36%, indicating significant progress toward a low-carbon economy.
  • The total number of internet subscriptions (in millions) has increased from 302.36 in 2015 to 954.40 in 2024, showing a sharp rise in digital connectivity across the country.
• SDG 15: The forest cover, a percentage of total geographical area, has increased from 21.34% in 2015 to 21.76% in 2023, showing a steady rise in the country’s forest areas.

Concerns raised by Report

• Fiscal Policies: Government expenditure on essential services, education, health, and social protection slightly reduced from FY16 to FY24.
• Slow Economic Growth: On the economic front, India’s FY25 GDP is projected to grow at 6.5%, below the 7% annual target set under SDG 8.
• Agriculture: The issuance of soil health cards to farmers declined from full coverage between 2015 and 2017 to 87.25% in FY25.
  • The net sown area as a share of cultivable land declined.
• Gender Gap: The adolescent birth rate in girls aged 15–19 increased slightly from 11.1 per 1,000 in 2015 to 11.3 in 2021. 
  • Cases of dowry-related offences and overall crimes against women also trended upward between 2015 and 2022.
• Road Safety: Road accident fatalities rose from 11.81 per 1,00,000 population in 2015 to 12.4 in 2022.

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