India is home to over 1.4 billion people, and its progress on SDG Index sustainable development has a global impact. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are not just a set of targets for governments, but a framework to improve lives across health, education, climate, and justice. This blog explores India’s performance in the SDG Index, what the rankings mean, and what’s needed to accelerate progress.
What is the SDG Index?
The SDG Index is a composite scorecard that measures how countries are progressing on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. These goals include:
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Quality Education
- Climate Action
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
“Each goal has measurable indicators, and countries are scored based on their performance.”
India’s Rank in the Global SDG Index
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, published by SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network)
| Year | India’s rank | Total Countries Ranked | SDG Index Score |
| 2019 | 115 | 162 | 61.9 |
| 2020 | 117 | 166 | 61.9 |
| 2021 | 120 | 165 | 60.1 |
| 2022 | 121 | 163 | 60.3 |
| 2023 | 112 | 165 | 61.4 |
| 2024 | 109 | 167 | 67 |
| 2025 | 99 | 167 | 64 |
State-Wise SDG Performance (By NITI Aayog, India)
India’s own think tank, NITI Aayog, releases the India SDG Index, ranking states based on how well they implement SDG targets.
| State | Score (2025) | Category |
| Kerala | 79 | Top position |
| Uttarakhand | 79 | Top position |
| Tamil Nadu | 78 | Front Runner |
| Goa | 77 | Front Runner |
| Himachal Pradesh | 77 | Front Runner |
India’s Progress on Key SDGs
| SDG | Status | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | On Track | Poverty reduced by various welfare schemes |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Moderate Progress | Education access improved; digital gap remains |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Lagging | Low female labor participation |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Needs Attention | Air pollution & carbon emissions are high |
| SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation | Steady | Swachh Bharat Mission success noted |
What’s Holding India Back?
Despite improvements, India faces several challenges:
- Urban-Rural Divide in infrastructure, education, and health
- Unemployment, especially among youth
- Gender Inequality in workforce and leadership roles
- Air Pollution & Environmental Degradation
- Lack of Data Transparency in some SDG metrics
Opportunities Ahead
India has launched several programs aligned with SDGs, including:
| Program | Linked SDG | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jal Jeevan Mission | SDG 6 – Clean Water | Access to piped water |
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | SDG 5 – Gender Equality | Promotes girl education & rights |
| PM-KISAN | SDG 1 & 2 – Poverty & Hunger | Income support to farmers |
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | SDG 6 – Sanitation | Open defecation elimination |
Conclusion
India’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is ongoing. While programs like Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Digital India have laid the groundwork, we need collaborative efforts from government, private sector, and citizens to truly deliver sustainable change.
As citizens, staying aware of SDG progress and demanding accountability is one of the best contributions we can make.