India among top 100 meeting UN's Sustainable Development Goals. But challenges remain

For the first time ever, India is among the top 100 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals Index. Ranking 99th out of 167 countries now, India has come far. It was 110th in 2016, the year India’s ranking began. Sustainable development goals are a set of 17 global targets adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all — by 2030.

NOT JUST IN TOP 100

India, according to the 2025 report, is also among the top five G20 countries showing the fastest progress between 2015 and 2024. India recorded a 7.6 point improvement during this period, tying with Indonesia, and just behind Saudi Arabia, which saw an 8.1 point gain.

The G20 average is calculated using data from 19 individual countries, excluding the aggregated scores for the European Union and the African Union. However, what are the major challenges India still faces?

MAJOR ISSUES

The SDG Index monitors 17 global goals spanning areas such as poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, and climate action. For India, food security remains a major concern, with the goal of Zero Hunger showing persistent challenges and a stagnating trend.

Factors like malnutrition, unequal food access, and agrarian distress continue to impede progress, particularly in rural and tribal areas. In addition, sectors like Good Health and Well-Being, Gender Equality, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Life Below Water, Life on Land, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — all pose major challenges, with trends either stagnating or only moderately increasing. These remain critical areas where India needs to accelerate its efforts to meet the 2030 targets.

Areas where India has witnessed notable progress but have significant challenges include Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, Reduced Inequalities, and Responsible Consumption and Production. These sectors show either moderately increasing or stagnating trends. Among them, Reduced Inequalities stands out with a positive trajectory, as it is considered on track or maintaining achievement, reflecting sustained progress in addressing disparities.

There are other sectors where India sees challenges, such as No Poverty, Quality Education, and Climate Action. The country is considered on track or maintaining achievement in No poverty, reflecting improvements. Quality Education shows a moderately increasing trend, pointing to gradual improvements in enrolment and learning outcomes. However, Climate Action remains a pressing concern, with the report indicating a declining trend.

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