NEWS: The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) released the Sustainable Development Report 2026 at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026.

ABOUT

• The SDG Index measures countries' progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda.
• India achieved its highest-ever rank of 94th among 167 countries.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Rank: 94th (up from 99th in 2025).
• Score: 68.3/100.
• Improved by 18 places since 2015 (from 112th to 94th).
• Among the fastest-improving major economies, alongside China.
• Ranked behind Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in South Asia.

AREAS OF PROGRESS

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
• Significant gains through infrastructure development and digital expansion.

MAJOR CHALLENGES

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Undernourishment: 12% (2023), Child wasting: 19%, Child stunting: 29.3%.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Rising fossil fuel use and record per capita CO₂ emissions (2.21 tonnes).
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions): Decline in Press Freedom Index.
• Other major challenge areas: SDG 3: Good Health, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities, SDG 14: Life Below Water, SDG 15: Life on Land

GLOBAL CONTEXT

• Only 33.3% of India's SDG targets are on track for 2030.
• Globally, none of the 17 SDGs are on track to be fully achieved by 2030.
• Finland ranked 1st, followed by Sweden and Denmark.