India’s Progress in SDG Rankings

• Ranking Improvement: India entered the top 100 in the Sustainable Development Report 2024, ranking 99th out of 167 countries, a rise from 110th in 2016. However, concerns remain on why this improvement wasn't faster.

• SDG 1 – Poverty Reduction:

  • India performed well, with poverty reportedly halved from 22% in 2012 to 12% in 2023 (World Bank).

  • But concerns persist due to outdated poverty lines and lack of public consumption data since 2018.

• SDG 2 – Zero Hunger:

  • Stunting: Still high at 35.5%, down slightly from 38.4%.

  • Wasting: Dropped to 19.3% from 21%.

  • Obesity: Nearly doubled in urban wealthier groups.

  • Persistent nutrition disparity between income groups and regions.

• SDG 7 – Electricity Access:

  • Universal electrification achieved, but power quality and reliability vary by region.

  • India is now the 4th largest in renewable energy capacity (solar and wind).

• SDG 9 – Infrastructure & Digital Access:

  • Gains in mobile penetration and UPI-based digital finance.

  • COVID-19 exposed rural-urban internet divide, affecting education (SDG 4).

• SDG 16 – Governance & Institutions:

  • India lags in rule of law, press freedom, and independent institutions, especially after 2014.

Despite progress in poverty reduction, electrification, and digital infrastructure, governance, nutrition, and institutional quality remain key challenges.