SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS INDIA INDEX 2023-24
SDG India Index 2023-24, the fourth edition of the country’s principal tool for measuring national and subnational progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) was released by NITI Aayog.
SDG India Index 2023-24:
Measures and tracks national progress of States and UTs using 113 indicators.
Aligned with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF).
Computes goal-wise scores on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for each State and UT.
Overall State and UT scores, or Composite Scores, are derived from goal-wise scores.
Scores range from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating complete achievement of targets.
Higher scores indicate greater progress toward SDG targets.
Key highlights:
Significant progress in goals on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land.
Targeted interventions by the Government such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, PM-Mudra Yojana, Saubhgaya, Start-up India etc. had impact and led to rapid improvement.
All States have shown an improvement in overall score
Overall SDG score for the country is 71 for 2023-24, significant improvement from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018 (Baseline report).
Scores for States range from 57 to 79 in 2023-24, marking a substantial improvement from the year 2018 range of 42 to 69.
Significant progress in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land)
Goal 13 (Climate Action) records highest increase in score from 54 in 2020-21 to 67 in 2023-24 followed by Goal 1 (No Poverty) from 60 to 72.
32 States and UTs in the front-runner category with 10 new entrants -Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Between 2018 and 2023-24, fastest moving States are Uttar Pradesh (increase in score by 25), followed by J&K (21), Uttarakhand (19), Sikkim (18), Haryana (17), Assam, Tripura and Punjab (16 each), Madhya Pradesh and Odisha (15 each)
India’s Commitment to SDGs:
Reflects in concerted efforts towards SDG localisation led by NITI Aayog.
NITI Aayog oversees SDG adoption and monitoring in the country.
Promotes competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs.
Focuses on integrating SDGs into national and subnational development thinking.
Emphasizes institutional ownership, collaborative competition, capacity development, and a whole-of-society approach.
SDGSs and Assam:
The strides Assam has made toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as reported in the NITI Aayog's "SDG India Index 2023" is indeed a positive development. Improving its rank from 26 in 2020 to 23 reflects progress in implementing developmental and welfare measures. However, the challenge of balancing short-term populist measures, such as freebies, with long-term sustainable development remains significant.
Key Challenges and Areas of Focus
Freebies vs. Sustainable Development:
Dependency on Freebies: While the government’s distribution of freebies can provide immediate relief to certain sections of the population, it risks creating dependency. This approach might not lead to sustainable economic development, as it can detract from more crucial investments in infrastructure and social services.
Financial Impact: The allocation of significant resources to freebies may lead to increased government expenditure and deficits, which can hinder economic growth and reduce funds available for investment in critical areas like infrastructure.
Priority Areas for Government Action:
Infrastructure Development: Investing in infrastructure such as all-weather roads, reliable electricity, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and clean drinking water can have a transformative impact on economic growth and quality of life.
Job Creation and Education: Empowering individuals through job opportunities and quality education is vital for sustainable development. This not only improves the livelihood of the population but also enhances the state's economic prospects.
Healthcare and Social Security: Strengthening healthcare systems and social security nets ensures a healthier population that can contribute productively to the economy.
Addressing Inequalities:
Economic Disparities: Assam faces significant economic disparities, with certain regions lagging behind. Bridging these gaps requires targeted interventions to ensure inclusive growth and equitable development.
Focus on Marginalized Communities: Multidimensional poverty, particularly among marginalized communities, remains a barrier to inclusive growth. Long-term strategies in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment are essential to address these challenges.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Areas of Concern:
The NITI Aayog report also cites four areas where the Assam is far behind than national average –Zero Hunger (47 points), Quality Education (41 points), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (44 points) and Gender Equality (42 points).
Zero Hunger: Addressing hunger through empowerment rather than dependency is crucial. Initiatives that enhance food security and enable self-reliance can be more effective than direct aid.
Quality Education: Improving educational outcomes is vital for breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting sustainable development.
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Fostering a climate of innovation and industrial growth, along with infrastructure development, is key to economic advancement.
Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality not only enhances social justice but also contributes to economic development by fully utilizing the potential of the population.
Long-term vs. Short-term Interventions:
Distinguishing Freebies from Welfare: It’s crucial to differentiate between short-term freebies, which may serve political ends, and long-term welfare schemes that have lasting positive impacts on society.
Welfare schemes should focus on empowering individuals and communities to achieve self-sufficiency.
While the improvement in Assam’s SDG ranking is commendable, the state must address the underlying challenges to sustain this progress. A shift in focus from short-term populism to long-term strategic investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation is essential. This approach aligns with the insights of economists like Amartya Sen, who emphasize the importance of addressing social inequalities to foster sustainable economic development. By prioritizing these areas, Assam can continue to make strides toward achieving the SDGs and ensure that development is both inclusive and sustainable.
