India Off The Track In Several SDG Goals, Significant Challenges Persist

One decade has passed of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), yet India is off the track in several of them which require intensified and focused interventions to achieve the targets by 2030. While notable progress has been made in several sectors, significant challenges continue to persist other.

This conclusion has been drawn by the Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report 2025 released by the National Statistics Office, on the basis of 284 national SDG indicators available in the NIF as on 29th June, 2025.

The first goal SDG 1 was to be achieved was “No Poverty” by 2030. This goal has 7 targets. A total of 13 indicators have been identified at the national level, and data are available for all of them. The document gives progress up to only 2019-21 for the level of poverty. In 2015-16, poverty in India was shown 24.85 per cent which declined to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21. In 2025, 64.3 per cent of the population were under social protection. Institutional assistance was being provided to 1.57 lakh senior citizens in 2023-24. It means, India is going to miss the target of “No Poverty” by 2030.

“Zero Hunger” was the second target (SDG 2). There has been considerable progress in this regard, but considerable challenges remain. The Goal has 8 targets. Ratio of institutional credit to agriculture to the agriculture output was 1.56 per cent in 2023-24. GVA in agriculture was Rs 94,110 per worker in 2024-25.

India seems to be on track on SDG 3 ‘good health and well-being’, but challenges remain. Neonatal mortality rate per 1000 live births were still 19 in 2021.

In SDG 4 quality education to all is lagging behind, though free and compulsory education is provided upto class 8th. Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education was 29.5 per cent in 2022-23. The proportion of schools having access to in 2023-24: electricity was 91.8 per cent; computers for pedagogical purposes was 57.20 per cent; adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities/disabled friendly ramp 77.1 per cent and toilets 34.4 per cent; basic drinking water to 98.3 per cent; sanitation facilities to girls 97.2 per cent and to boys 95.7 per cent; basic hand washing to 94.7 per cent; and internet facilities to 78.5 per cent.

Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality) female to male labour force participation rate in 15-59 years age group was 0.54 in 2023. Bank linked Self Help Groups (SHGs) were 97.04 per cent in 2023-24.

Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) improved drinking water is being supplied to 99.62 per cent of the people in 2024-25. Open defection free target has been achieved 100 per cent by 2024-25, and the proportion of villages having water and sanitation committees was 0.9 in 2024-25.

Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) 100 per cent households were electrified by 2021-22. Renewable energy share in the total installed electricity generation was 22.13 per cent in 2024-25.

Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) outstanding credit to MSME was Rs 27.2 lakh crore in 2023-24. In that year LFPR was 64.3 per cent. There were 34,293 recognised start-ups in 2024. Per capita fossil fuel consumption was 169.5 kg in 2024-25.

As for Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure under SDG 9, the total carbon dioxide emission of power sector per unit of GDP (in tonne/ Rupee Crore) was 40.52 in 2022-23. Number of researchers per million was 262 in 2020-21. Mobile network coverage in 2024 was 99.06 per cent for 4G.

Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) the data shows Gini coefficient of household expenditure in rural areas in 2023-24 at 0.237 and in urban areas 0.284.

Achievement under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) shows that 80.7 per cent of wage was being processed in 2024-25.

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns under SDG 12, the data shows 3,036 was recycling plants installed in 2024-25. Installed renewal energy generating capacity in watts per capita was 156.31 in 2024-25.

Under SDG 13 (Climate Action) the reduction in emission intensity of GDP in 2020 over 2005 level was 36 per cent. SDG 14 (Life Below Water) data shows India’s sustainable yield in fishing was 5.3 million tonne per year in 2024-25.

Life on Land under SDG 15, India had 5.69 per cent of its geographical area in 2024 as protected. Forest cover has been almost stagnant which was 21.76 per cent in 2023, far below than India’s target of achieving 33 per cent.

Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) the data shows 1.55 judges per lakh population in 2024, and number of courts 1.93.

The last, SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) shows total number of internet subscription at 954.4 million in 2024. All 29 states have their monitoring framework in 2024-25.

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the landmark resolution titled “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, marking a global commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future. At the heart of this agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, which came into effect on1 January 2016. (IPA Service)