SDG India Index 2021: NITI Aayog

Context: India’s overall score across sustainable development goals improved marginally by six points, from 60 in 2019 to 66 in 2021, Niti Aayog said while releasing the index. 

• It is driven by country-wide improvement across clean water and sanitation (Goal 6) and affordable and clean energy (Goal 7).

Key Findings

• This edition of the index covers 17 goals, 70 targets, and 115 indicators, while the last covered 17 goals, 54 targets and 100 indicators. The first edition, in 2018-2019, covered 13 goals, 39 targets, and 62 indicators.
• Kerala retained the top spot followed by Himachal Pradesh while Bihar featured at the bottom of Niti Aayog's index for sustainable development goals (SDG).
• Kerala scored 75 out of 100 while Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu scored 74 each. 
• Andhra Pradesh was placed next in the list with 72 points.
• On the other hand, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam were the worst-performing states this year with 52, 56, and 57 points, respectively.
• Rajasthan (60), Uttar Pradesh (60), Assam (57), Jharkhand (56) and Bihar (52) were among the last ranked states on the index.
• Andaman Nicobar is ranked 5th among UTs, scoring 67 points with a hike of six point.
• The Index measures the progress at the national and sub-national level in the country’s journey towards meeting the Global Goals and targets

About the Index

• This is the third edition of the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020–21.
• The index was first launched in December 2018. Over the years, it has fostered competition among all states and Union territories by ranking them on global goals developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India.
• “The report reflects on the partnerships we have built and strengthened during our SDG efforts. The narrative throws light on how collaborative initiatives can result in better outcomes and greater impacts.
• The index measures the progress at the national and sub-national level in the country’s journey towards meeting the Global Goals and targets.
• It has been successful as an advocacy tool to propagate the messages of sustainability, resilience, and partnerships, as well.

Aims and objectives

• The construction of the index and the ensuing methodology embodies the central objectives of measuring the performance of States and UTs on the SDGs and ranking them.
• It aims at supporting States and UTs in identifying areas which require more attention; and promoting healthy competition among them.

Its significance

• The index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.
• The modular nature of the index has become a policy tool and a ready reckoner for gauging the progress of States and UTs on the nature of goals including health, education, gender, economic growth and climate change and the environment.

Methodology and Process

• The index estimation is based on data on indicators for the first 16 goals, with a qualitative assessment for Goal 17.
• The technical process of target setting and normalization of scores follow the globally established methodology.
• While target setting enables the measurement of the distance from the target for each indicator, the process of normalization of positive and negative indicators allows for comparability and estimation of goal-wise scores.
• The composite score of a State is derived by assigning each goal the same weight, keeping in mind the indivisible nature of the 2030 Agenda.
• The selection of indicators is preceded by a consultative process undertaken in close coordination with MoSPI, Union Ministries and stakeholders from States and UTs.