CONTEXT

• India enters top 100 of the Sustainable Development Index for the first time — Rank 99 with a score of 67.
• Released by UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN).
• Marks the 10th anniversary of SDGs; report focuses on “Financing the SDGs by 2030 and Mid-Century”.

CONCEPT

• SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals): 17 global goals adopted in 2015 by 193 UN countries under Agenda 2030.
• Definition: “Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.”
• SDG Index: Score (0–100) reflects distance from optimal SDG performance.
• New Indicator in 2025: Minimum dietary diversity among children (6–23 months) under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Streamlined SDGi 2025: Uses 17 headline indicators (1 per SDG) for simplified tracking and reduced bias.
• NITI Aayog SDG Index (India-specific):
  • Measures progress of States/UTs across socio-economic indicators.
  • Categories: Aspirant (0–49), Performer (50–64), Front-runner (65–99), Achiever (100).

CURRENT: KEY HIGHLIGHTS – SDR 2025

• Global Trends:
  • No SDG is fully on track for 2030.
  • Only 17% of targets show progress.
  • Major lags in SDG 2, 11, 14, 15, and 16.
• Top 3 Countries:

• Finland – 87
• Sweden – 85.7
• Denmark – 85.3

• India’s Progress:
  • Rank improvement: 120 (2021) → 121 (2022) → 112 (2023) → 109 (2024) → 99 (2025).
  • Still trails neighbours: Bhutan (74), Nepal (85), Maldives (53), Sri Lanka (93).
• UN Summit for the Future (2024):
  • Held in New York (Sept 22–23).
  • Adopted: Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, Declaration on Future Generations.
  • Focused on reforming multilateralism, UN system, and financing mechanisms.
• UN-Mi Index 2025 (Support for UN-based multilateralism):
  • India ranks 113, score 63.8.