India has reported significant progress, as reflected in the SDG index, which ranks countries on their attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

India’s Overall Progress on SDGs

• SDG Index Growth: Score increased from 57 in 2018 to 71 in 2023-24.
  • Average increase in state-wise composite index: 5 units between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
  • State Performance: Average increase of 5 units (2020-21 to 2023-24); some states improved by 8 units.
  • Localisation of SDG Implementation: State and district indices foster competition in policy formulation and service delivery.

State-wise Performance and Challenges

• Top Performing States:
  • Kerala and Uttarakhand: Scores >80 in 8 SDG goals.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal: Scores >80 in 6 goals.
  • Punjab and West Bengal: Steady improvement across all goals.
• Declining Performance:
  • Moderation in Performance: Declines are reported in:
    • Goal 1: No Poverty
    • Goal 5: Gender Equality
    • Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
    • Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  • Decline in Scores: Nine or more states have reported a decline in these goals.
  • Some states have witnessed declines in six goals or more.

About Sustainable Development Goals

• Adoption: It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.
• Focus: It identified 17 SDGs with 169 specific targets to be achieved by 2030. 
• Mandate: The programme is internationally non-binding, but all countries have committed to work towards these goals as transiting to sustainable development is a common global endeavor.

India’s Approach to SDG Localisation

• NITI Aayog as Nodal Agency: NITI Aayog leads India’s SDG efforts, coordinating with states, Union Territories (UTs), and other stakeholders to localize the 2030 Agenda, ensuring a “whole-of-government” approach.
• Sub-National Engagement: Recognizing India’s federal structure, the approach emphasizes collaboration with states and UTs, integrating SDGs into local planning, budgeting, and monitoring frameworks (e.g., state-level SDG Coordination Centres).
• Monitoring Frameworks: Tools like the SDG India Index, National Indicator Framework (NIF), and District Indicator Framework (DIF) track progress at national, state, and local levels, fostering data-driven governance.
• Inclusive Development: Guided by “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (development for all), initiatives target vulnerable groups (e.g., women, children, SC/ST, disabled) through schemes like disability camps and financial assistance in UTs like Andaman & Nicobar.
• Capacity Building and Awareness: States and UTs conduct sensitisation and training programs (e.g., Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir) to integrate SDGs into governance processes and build local administrative capacity.
• Partnerships: Collaboration with UNDP and other stakeholders accelerates SDG implementation (e.g., Ladakh’s SDGCC with UNDP), enhancing resource mobilization and technical support.
• SDG-Based Budgeting: States and UTs like Andaman & Nicobar link budgets to SDGs, aligning financial resources with sustainable development priorities for effective grassroots impact.

Challenges in Budgeting and Expenditure for SDGs in India

• Inadequate Fiscal Space
  • High Funding Requirement: Estimates suggest developing countries need $4 trillion annually to achieve SDGs.
    • India’s current spending is insufficient to bridge the financing gap for sustainable development.
  • Competing Priorities: Budget constraints with competing demands for sectors like health, education, and infrastructure affect SDG allocations.
• Mismatch Between Spending and Progress: Increased expenditure has not always translated into measurable improvements in SDG outcomes.
  • Odisha: Limited progress in Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequality) despite increased allocations.
  • Haryana: Limited results in Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
  • Meghalaya: Declines in Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 4 (Quality Education) despite consistent funding.
• Lack of Robust Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks
  • Gaps in Data Collection: Periodic and reliable data sources are essential for tracking progress but remain inadequate.
    • Current statistical frameworks may not capture real-time impact, leading to delayed identification of gaps.
  • Inadequate Impact Assessment: Limited ability to assess whether public expenditure is achieving desired results.
    • Evaluation systems often overlook the interaction between different SDGs, contributing to suboptimal outcomes.
• Fragmented Implementation Across States
  • Varied State Capacities: Uneven capacities among states in implementing and monitoring SDG budgets.
    • Some states have integrated SDG budgeting (e.g., Haryana, Odisha, Meghalaya), but progress varies.
  • Decentralized Governance Gaps: State and local governments often lack the expertise and resources to design and execute SDG interventions effectively.
• Lack of Long-term Planning and Resource Allocation
  • Short-term Focus: Budgeting processes often prioritize short-term results over long-term sustainability.
    • SDGs require sustained investment and a multi-year perspective to ensure meaningful progress.
• Time Lag Between Spending and Outcomes: Outcomes from increased public expenditure may take several years to materialize, making it difficult to attribute immediate progress or declines to spending alone.
  • Lag Effect: Policies and programs often require a gestation period before the impact is reflected in SDG indicators.

Challenges Beyond Financing in Achieving SDGs in India

• Ineffective Implementation of Policies
  • Policy Design vs Ground Reality: Well-intentioned policies often fail due to poor implementation at the grassroots level.
    • Example: Haryana: Declines in Goal 16 despite budget allocations.
  • Coordination Gaps: Lack of synergy between different departments and agencies hinders smooth execution of SDG-related policies.
• Measurement and Data Limitations
  • Inconsistent Data Collection: Periodic and reliable data sources are essential for monitoring progress but remain inadequate.
  • Inability to Capture Progress: Current statistical frameworks do not fully capture nuanced changes or declines in SDG indicators.
    • Inaccurate data can lead to misallocation of resources and hinder evidence-based policymaking.
• Neglect of Trade-offs and Synergies Between Goals
  • Interconnected Goals Overlooked: SDGs are inherently interlinked, and interventions often create trade-offs or synergies.
    • Example: Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) may conflict with Goal 13 (Climate Action) if environmental sustainability is compromised.
  • Missed Opportunities for Cross-Sector Impact: Failure to model and manage these interactions can lead to suboptimal outcomes and wasted resources.
• Governance and Institutional Challenges
  • Fragmented Decision-making: Multiple agencies handling different SDGs often work in silos, reducing coordination.
  • Capacity Gaps at State and District Levels: Uneven capacity across states affects the quality of policy design, implementation, and monitoring.
    • Local governments often lack the technical expertise and resources needed to manage SDG-related initiatives.
• Short-term Focus Over Long-term Sustainability
  • Budgeting and Planning Issues: SDG achievements require sustained efforts, but budgeting tends to prioritize short-term outcomes.
  • Lack of Multi-year Vision: Absence of a long-term perspective in planning and spending reduces the likelihood of sustainable progress.
• Exclusion and Inequality
  • Marginalized Communities Left Behind: Despite efforts to reduce inequality, marginalized groups, including women, Dalits, and tribal communities, continue to face barriers to accessing services and benefits.
  • Urban-Rural Disparities: Rural areas, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and employment, show slower progress in achieving SDGs.

Way Forward for Achieving SDGs in India

• Strengthen Data Systems and Monitoring: Establish a robust real-time data framework to track SDG progress effectively.
  • Periodic updates and reliable disaggregated data are essential for measuring outcomes and correcting course.
• Enhance Multi-level Governance and Coordination: Improve coordination between Union, State, and District levels to avoid duplication of efforts.
  • Develop cross-sectoral frameworks to manage trade-offs and synergies between different SDGs.
• Align Budgeting with Local Priorities: Adopt a bottom-up approach by aligning financial allocations with state and district-specific needs.
  • Strengthen participatory budgeting to ensure that marginalized communities’ voices are included.
• Promote Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: Invest in capacity-building programs for local governments and institutions to ensure efficient policy implementation.
  • Equip local bodies with the technical skills needed for SDG tracking and management.
• Model Trade-offs and Synergies Between Goals: Use comprehensive modelling frameworks to assess interlinkages between goals and optimize resource allocation.
  • Ensure that interventions in one sector do not negatively impact progress in another.
• Improve Public Awareness and Participation: Increase awareness and public engagement on SDGs to build accountability.
  • Leverage civil society and private sector partnerships to complement government efforts.
• Adopt a Long-term Vision with Sustained Commitment: Shift focus from short-term outcomes to long-term sustainable growth.
  • Ensure policy continuity and adaptive learning mechanisms to adjust strategies based on evidence.

Conclusion

Achieving SDGs in India requires a multi-pronged, data-driven, and participatory approach that strengthens local governance, optimizes resources, and enhances coordination across sectors. A long-term, sustained commitment will be key to translating policies into measurable outcomes.

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