Himachal ranked as the second best performing state in Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2019 :

1. Despite severe geographical constraints, Himachal considered a model hill state has been ranked as the second best performing state after Kerala with the release of Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2019.

2. The state has been ranked overall second to Kerala with the difference in the index score being a mere one. While Kerala has bagged the top position with an index score of 70, Himachal has been adjudged second with a score of 69. The state has maintained its score of 69 that it had aggregated in year 2018.

3. In the North-East and Hill State category, Himachal has been ranked at the top with a score of 5.22 and Uttarakhand has been placed second with a score of 4.87. Himachal was adjudged at number one in Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions category while it ranked overall second in Quality Education among states. The state came overall third in the Clean Water and Sanitation criterion. Yet another feather in its cap was being ranked at number four in the Reduced Inequality goal.

4. Himachal figured at number nine for Decent Work and Economic Growth and got the 10 ranking for Affordable and Clean Energy, Good Health and Well-being factors, It came 11th in meeting Sustainable Cities and No Poverty and Zero Hunger targets. It was placed 12th in Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure criteria.

5. Himachal’s march on the path to development has been remarkable, especially in some core sectors like Quality Education, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Reduced Inequality.

6. This has been achieved despite major handicaps like difficult topography and poor connectivity, he added. Even though Himachal falls in the North East and Hill State category yet the state performed better than most of the big states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, MP and West Bengal in most sectors.

About SDG India Index 2019-20 :

The SDG India Index is intended to provide a holistic view on the social, economic and environmental status of the country and its States and UTs. The SDG India Index is an aggregate measure which can be understood and used by everyone—policymakers, businesses, civil society and the general public. The SDG India Index is an aggregate measure which can be understood and used by everyone—policymakers, businesses, civil society and the general public. It has been designed to provide an aggregate assessment of the performance of all Indian States and UTs, and to help leaders and change makers evaluate their performance on social, economic and environmental parameters.  It aims to measure India and its States’ progress towards the SDGs for 2030. As per the information given on NITI Aayog’s dashboard, the ranks were given to the States/UTs based on their achievements across SDGs. All states were ranked for each goal. These rankings have been given with an objective to enable the States/UTs to learn from their peers. SDG Rankings are based on the 17 SDGs and 169 targets. All states have been given scores range between 50 and 70 for their performances.