India’s SDG 3 Health Goals

India's SDG health targets are central to the country's efforts to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3).

With the 2030 deadline approaching, India has made commendable progress, especially in maternal and child health, disease control, and health infrastructure. However, some challenges persist.

This comprehensive overview will help SSC aspirants understand the key developments in India's SDG health targets, their relevance, and what lies ahead.

What Are SDG 3 and India's Commitments?

SDG 3 is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on:

• Reducing maternal and child mortality

• Combating diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria

• Ensuring universal health coverage

• Addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

• Promoting mental health and well-being

India has aligned its national policies with these goals, creating a focused plan to achieve India's SDG health targets by 2030.

India’s Progress on SDG 3

NITI Aayog’s SDG Index Performance

According to the NITI Aayog SDG index, India's SDG health targets have witnessed upward momentum:

• The SDG 3 score improved from 52 in 2018 to 77 in 2023

• Front-runner states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have already achieved key benchmarks in health indicators

This performance reflects how India's SDGs are being implemented across health sectors.

Human Development Index (HDI) Improvements

India’s Human Development Index (HDI) has surged by over 53% since 1990. This improvement is driven by schemes such as:

• Ayushman Bharat

• National Rural Health Mission

As of 2023, India’s life expectancy rose to 72 years, the highest since HDI tracking began. This positively impacts India's SDG health targets.

Maternal and Child Health Achievements

• Maternal mortality dropped to 97 per 100,000 live births

• Under-5 mortality rate fell to 32 per 1,000, with Kerala at just 8

• Immunisation rates reached 93.23%

• Institutional deliveries climbed to 97.18%

These improvements significantly support India's SDG health targets and represent success in achieving critical health goals.

Disease Control Progress

• HIV incidence stands at 0.05 per 1,000 uninfected individuals

• The tuberculosis notification rate has hit 87.13%

• Delhi and Gujarat surpassed national averages

All these indicators are aligned with the core outcomes of India's SDG health targets.

Ongoing Health Challenges in India

Despite progress, the path to achieving India's SDG health targets has obstacles:

• 35% of children under 5 are stunted; 19% are wasted

• Anaemia affects 67% of children and 57% of women

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 60% of deaths in India

Tackling these issues is vital for continued success in India’s approach to improving healthcare under SDG 3.

Strategic Roadmap to 2030

To meet India's SDG health targets, experts recommend:

• Expanding last-mile healthcare delivery

• Increasing investment in primary healthcare

• Scaling NCD screening and treatment

• Addressing nutrition and mental health gaps

• Promoting equity in rural vs urban healthcare access

These strategies are necessary for achieving the sustainable health targets India envisions under SDG 3 progress India.

Government Initiatives Driving Success

Key programs that contribute to India's SDG health targets include:

• Ayushman Bharat: Ensuring universal health coverage

• POSHAN Abhiyaan: Addressing malnutrition

• National Health Mission: Enhancing maternal and child health services

• Digital Health Mission: Modernising record-keeping and accessibility

These government schemes, helping India meet the SDG health goal, are fundamental to long-term impact.

State-wise Rankings: NITI Aayog Insights

According to the NITI Aayog SDG index health rankings by state, leading performers include:

• Kerala

• Tamil Nadu

• Himachal Pradesh

These states have consistently delivered strong results in India's SDG health targets, particularly in immunisation, institutional deliveries, and disease control.

Final Thoughts

India has made strong strides toward meeting its SDG 3 health targets, especially in areas like maternal health, child survival, and disease control. However, challenges such as malnutrition, anaemia, and rising non-communicable diseases remain.

To stay on track for 2030, India must boost primary healthcare, improve rural access, and reduce health disparities. For SSC aspirants, this topic is key for exams and reflects how national health goals shape India’s development.