RBI Grade B 2025 – ESI Answer Outline | India’s Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Evaluate India’s Progress Towards Achieving the SDGs

1. Introduction

  • Define SDGs: 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015 under Agenda 2030.
  • India, as a signatory, aligned national development priorities with these goals.
  • NITI Aayog has been designated as the nodal agency to monitor SDG implementation in India.

2. Importance of SDGs for India

  • Addresses interlinked challenges: poverty, health, education, gender inequality, environment.
  • Enables India to benchmark development progress against global standards.
  • Promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

3. Institutional Framework for SDGs in India

  • NITI Aayog prepares the SDG India Index to rank states/UTs.
  • State governments have their own SDG cells and localized action plans.
  • Collaboration with UN agencies, civil society, and private sector for implementation.

4. Progress on Key Goals

  • Goal 1 (No Poverty):
    • Notable reduction in poverty rates (as per MPI & SECC data).
    • PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and DBT mechanisms.
  • Goal 2 (Zero Hunger):
    • Coverage under NFSA, POSHAN Abhiyan for maternal-child nutrition.
  • Goal 3 (Good Health):
    • Ayushman Bharat, health insurance schemes, COVID vaccination success.
  • Goal 4 (Quality Education):
    • NEP 2020, Digital India initiatives like DIKSHA, PM eVidya.
  • Goal 5 (Gender Equality):
    • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana; issues with women’s workforce participation remain.
  • Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
    • Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission have transformed rural infrastructure.
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action):
    • National Solar Mission, 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030, LiFE initiative.

5. Challenges in Achieving SDGs

  • Persistent inequalities across states and socio-economic groups.
  • Financial resource constraints for local governments.
  • Need for high-quality, real-time data.
  • COVID-19 disruptions led to setbacks in healthcare, education, and livelihoods.

6. Recent Initiatives & Global Cooperation

  • SDG India Index reports by NITI Aayog foster competitive federalism.
  • Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented by India at the UN.
  • Partnerships with UNDP, World Bank, ADB, and private sector innovations.

7. Conclusion

  • India has demonstrated steady progress in several SDGs, particularly in poverty, health, and sanitation.
  • However, significant effort is needed in areas like gender equality, education outcomes, and employment.
  • Timely achievement of SDGs depends on decentralization, cross-sector collaboration, innovative financing, and digital governance.