India’s progress on SDGs

India has made remarkable progress in sustainable development, earning the 99th rank in the Sustainable Development Index 2025. This marks a historic entry into the top 100 and reflects significant India's progress on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) releases this report annually to measure the performance of countries in achieving the SDGs.

Why is This Report Important for SSC Aspirants?

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a crucial part of current affairs, especially for competitive exams like SSC CGL, CHSL, UPSC, and state-level PSCs.

• This report highlights the India SDG index 2025 and offers insight into India’s global development standing, making it a must-know topic.

Key Highlights: India’s SDG Performance in 2025

• India is ranked 99th among 167 countries.

• India’s SDG score is 67 out of 100, representing its performance across all 17 SDGs.

• India’s improvement in SDG ranking since 2021 is noteworthy:

  • 2021: Rank 120

  • 2022: Rank 121

  • 2023: Rank 112

  • 2024: Rank 109

  • 2025: Rank 99

This consistent climb showcases India's progress on SDGs across multiple indicators.

What is the Sustainable Development Index?

The SDG Index is a global ranking system developed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN). It assesses the performance of countries across 17 global goals, including:

• Zero Hunger (SDG 2)

• Quality Education

• Gender Equality

• Climate Action

• Sustainable Cities (SDG 11)

The India SDG Index 2025 uses a streamlined approach with one key indicator per SDG, aiming to reduce statistical bias and improve global comparability.

India’s Performance in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

• One new element in this year’s report is the indicator for “minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months”, included under SDG 2.

• This is a critical area where India’s SDG 2 performance on Zero Hunger must improve to reach global standards.

India vs Neighbouring Countries

Although India made a strong move into the top 100, it still trails behind several of its neighbors. Here's how India vs neighbours' SDG performance compares:

• Maldives: Rank 53

• Bhutan: Rank 74 (Score: 70.5)

• Nepal: Rank 85 (Score: 68.6)

• Sri Lanka: Rank 93

• India: Rank 99 (Score: 67)

• Bangladesh: Rank 114

• Pakistan: Rank 140

Despite improvements, India still needs focused policy action to lead the region in SDG performance.

Challenges Identified in the UN SDG Report India

• Globally, none of the 17 goals are currently on track to be fully achieved by 2030.

• Only 17% of SDG targets are progressing as planned.

• India’s efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goals are hampered by:

  • Limited fiscal space

  • Climate vulnerability

  • Regional disparities

According to the UN SDG report for India, key goals like SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11, SDG 14, SDG 15, and SDG 16 are especially off track globally.

Government Strategy to Boost India's Progress on SDGs

The Indian government, through NITI Aayog, has implemented robust frameworks to promote the Sustainable Goals India has committed to:

• SDG India dashboards to track real-time progress

• Inclusion of SDGs in local development plans

• Emphasis on health, education, nutrition, and climate resilience

These efforts contribute directly to India's SDG performance on global platforms.

India’s Milestone in Sustainable Development Report 2025

This year marks a significant achievement for India, with its entry into the top 100 for the first time. The India SDG Index 2025 shows strong growth, and the country is gradually aligning with global sustainability benchmarks.

This progress is particularly vital for achieving the UN SDGs, and India's steady rise reflects better governance, planning, and data implementation.

Final Thoughts

India’s progress on SDGs, as reflected in the Sustainable Development Index 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s development journey. 

Climbing to the 99th rank with a score of 67, India has shown that sustained policy efforts, government commitment, and inclusive planning can yield measurable results on the global stage.

However, the road ahead remains challenging. Areas such as Zero Hunger, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development still need focused attention.

As the 2030 deadline approaches, India must continue to innovate and collaborate to achieve full alignment with the UN SDGs and maintain its upward trajectory on the global index.