INDIA'S SDG STRUGGLE: UNEVEN AND SLOW PROGRESS CASTS SHADOW ON 2030 DEADLINE

Nationally, India's SDG score rose from 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24, showing some progress.

- S V KRISHNA CHAITANYA @ Alwar

Yet, the CSE report flags stagnation since 2020 in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). SDG 1 (No Poverty) is the lone bright spot, with multidimensional poverty—covering health, education, and living standards—down to 14.96%. Still, Bihar (34) and Arunachal Pradesh (below 50) lagged, eight states like UP scored 50-64, and a key measure—extreme poverty below $1.25 daily—was dropped in 2023-24, leaving gaps in the data. The report warns that, globally, no SDG will