Indicators where India needs development

At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, 193 countries adopted SDGs
(sustainable development goals). The year 2030 is the target for SDG achievement. The SDG Index provides a well-rounded picture of India's inclusive growth trajectory, and the status of both national and state-level social, economic, and environmental parameters across 17 goals, 169 targets and 306 national indicators. The index took into account 13 out of 17 goals specified by United Nation's as SDGs and left out four goals because of lack of data at the state level.

Goal 1: No poverty  

Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Objective: It seeks to end all forms of malnutrition, double agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food production systems.
 
India is saddled with high levels of malnutrition, anaemia, stunting and wasting. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), almost half of pregnant Indian women aged between 15 and 49 years are anaemic, and more than one-thirds of women have a low body mass index. Among children below 5 years, 38.4 percent have low height for-age, and 21 percent have low weight-for-age. Food security and nutrition pose a challenge in India due to inadequate access, structural inequalities (gender, caste, and social groups), lack of water and sanitation, micronutrient deficiencies and illiteracy.
Goa (score 80) and Delhi (score 72) were the top performing among States and UTs respectively. While Jharkhand (score 35) and Andaman (score 38) were the worst performing states.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
Objective: To end preventable deaths across all ages from communicable and non-communicable diseases and illnesses caused by air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. It also aims to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines. It also focuses on a renewed focus on mental health issues.

India has made impressive gains w.r.t Good Health and Well-being. The maternal mortality ratio has declined to 130 in 2014-16 from 254 in 2004-06. Under 5 mortality rate in 2015-16 was 50, down from 74 in 2005-2006. Ayushman Bharat and POSHAN Abhiyan are two most comprehensive programmes of the Government of India to promote good health.

Kerala (score 92) is the best performer among the States, and Puducherry (score 66) among the UTs. While Uttar Pradesh (score 25) and Chandigarh (score 23) were the worst performers.

Goal 4: Quality Education
Objective: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Goal 5: Gender Equality
Objective: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

India's Goal for 2030 is to empower all women to live dignified lives, contributing as equal partners in the growth and development of the country, in an environment free from violence and discrimination. National level schemes and programmes, such as the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, MUDRA Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, all strive to achieve the targets of gender equality. Performance in this particular goal is notably the worst among all SDGs. All India average being a mere 36.

Kerala (score 50) and Sikkim (score 50) among the States, and Andaman (score 58), and Chandigarh (score 51) among the UTs were the top performers. While Bihar (score 24), Manipur (score 25), UP (score 27) and Punducherry (score 27) are the worst performing states.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Objective: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
 
National initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, National Rural Drinking Water Programme and National Mission for Clean Ganga - Namami Gange have provided the necessary thrust to India's commitment on providing universal access to clean water and sanitation to all.

Gujarat along with Chandigarh, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep have 100% achievement. While Bihar (score 31) and Tripura (score 38) were the worst performers.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Objective: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

With nearly 200 million Indians without access to electricity, and about 264 million people, still dependent on solid biomass for cooking, it may be acknowledged that the country has a long way to go in securing its energy security objective. The energy demand of India is likely to go up by 1.5-1.7 times between 2017 and 2030, with the electricity component itself rising 2.3 times.

Among the States, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Karnataka are the top performers with a score of 89, 78 and 77 respectively. Among UTs, Chandigarh fares the best with a score of 96. However, Meghalaya Assam and Jharkhand were the worst performers having a score of 11, 18 and 20 respectively.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Objective: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Objective: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

India aims to build resilient infrastructure, achieve sustainable industrialization and promote scientific innovation and research. Major structural reforms such as Goods & Services Tax (GST) implementation, Ease of Doing Business (EODB) reforms and introduction of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code have been rolled out.

Delhi and Puducherry are the Achievers of this Goal as they scored a full 100 on the Index.
However, majority of the States and UTs have fallen behind on this Goal with 26 States and UTs in the Aspirants category (with Index score less than 50). Of these, Goa, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman & Nicobar, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep have an Index score of zero.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Objective: Reduce inequality within and among countries

There are inequalities in income and consumption, structural inequalities which take the form of inequalities based on gender, religion, caste and social groups as well as regional inequalities, all of which manifest in inequalities of opportunities and access.

The States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Telangana, and among the UTs are Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep have scored a perfect 100. Whereas, 23 States and UTs are Front Runners (with Index Score greater than/equal to 65). However, two States Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are aspirants with Index Score of 47 and 38 respectively.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Objective: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

India is a fast urbanizing country and is witnessing a steady increase in migration from rural areas to urban centres. This poses stress on the already overburdened infrastructure of the cities, such as housing, and services related to transportation, provision of clean water and sewage treatment.

India needs to strive hard to fulfil this goal as the average on All India basis is a mere 39. Among states, Goa is the top performer, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, among the UTs. Only one State is the Front Runner (with Index Score greater than/equal to 65). 29 States and UTs are categorised as Aspirants (with Index Score less than 50). With the lowest score in J&K (score 23) and Dadar & Nagar Haveli (score 6).

Goal 15: Life on Land
Objective: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Objective: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.