Lok Sabha Question No. 3098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Improvement in Social welfare in SDG Index
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3098 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## IMPROVEMENT IN SOCIAL WELFARE IN SDG INDEX

## 3098.  SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that according to the latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) India Index 2023, India's score has increased to 71, up from 66 in 2022, with significant improvements in social welfare indicators and if so, the details thereof alongwith the Government's contributions to this progress;
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to enhance data collection and monitoring for SDG  targets,  particularly  in  marginalized  communities  and  vulnerable  sections  of society, ensuring no one is left behind in SDG progress; and
- (c) the details of the methodology used by the Government to collect and analyze data on SDGs, particularly those concerning poverty reduction, quality education and reduced inequalities?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) As per the SDG India Index 2023-24 Report released by NITI Aayog, the country's SDG score  has  increased  from  66  in  2020-21  to  71  in  2023-24.  The  Government's  ongoing efforts through various welfare schemes and programs such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), PM Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat), Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN Abhiyan 2.0, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna  Yojana  (PMGKAY),  PM  Uchchatar  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (PM-USHA),  MUDRA Yojana, SAUBHAGYA scheme,  PM Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Skill India, Digital

India,  Smart  Cities  Mission,  Mission  Lifestyle  for  Environment  (LiFE),  Aspirational Districts and Block Programme, Start-Up India, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation  (AMRUT)  etc.  led  to  significant  improvement  in    the  country's  SDG Index score.

- (b) India is committed to achieving SDGs through nationally defined indicators that reflect its  priorities  and  developmental  needs.  To  support  this  commitment,  the  Ministry  of Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI),  in  collaboration  with  relevant Ministries,  Departments,  UN  agencies,  and  other  stakeholders,  has  established  the National Indicator Framework (NIF). This framework serves as a comprehensive tool for monitoring and evaluating SDG progress at the national level. Based on latest National Indicator  Framework  (NIF)  2024,  MoSPI  has  released  the  'Sustainable  Development Goals National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2024'. MoSPI coordinates with the Ministries and Departments to obtain data on the SDG indicators included in the NIF.

Further, the Government of India provides support to States/UTs in developing the subnational level monitoring frameworks, which helps them to track the SDGs.  It evaluates the performance of States/UTs through the SDG India Index, promotes SDG localisation, and encourages a competitive spirit among States and UTs.

- (c) The  details  of  methodology  of  SDG  India  Index,  are  in  public  domain  and  can  be accessed  at  https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-07/SDG\_India\_Index\_2023-24.pdf.

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