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The commitment of India to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires urgent measures to improve human development and address inequalities.
SDGs are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015, aimed at addressing a wide range of social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030.
Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) aim to provide affordable housing to the poor.
Schemes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provide employment and social security.
Initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana ensure financial inclusion by opening bank accounts for the unbanked.
The Public Distribution System (PDS) ensures food grains are available at subsidized rates.
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) focuses on improving irrigation and water use efficiency.
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 years of age and their mothers.
Ayushman Bharat aims to provide health insurance to over 100 million families.
Programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) promote institutional deliveries to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
National Health Mission (NHM) targets both communicable and non-communicable diseases through various health initiatives.
The Right to Education Act ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14.
The Skill India initiative aims to train over 400 million people in different skills.
Programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) focus on universalizing elementary education.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) aims to address the declining child-sex ratio and promote education for girls.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act provides legal protection to women.
Reservation policies in local governance ensure women’s participation in decision-making.
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024.
The Swachh Bharat Mission focuses on eliminating open defecation and improving sanitation.
The National Solar Mission aims to establish India as a global leader in solar energy.
The Saubhagya scheme aims to provide electricity to all households.
The Make in India initiative aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub.
The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) provides loans to small and micro enterprises.
The Start-up India initiative promotes entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Bharatmala project focuses on developing road infrastructure.
The National Manufacturing Policy aims to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries.
Various affirmative action policies aim to uplift marginalized communities.
The Smart Cities Mission aims to develop 100 smart cities.
The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) focuses on urban infrastructure.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes missions on sustainable agriculture and energy.
The Swachh Bharat Mission also focuses on waste management.
India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement outline its climate action goals.
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) guides climate policy.
The Sagarmala project aims to enhance port connectivity and promote sustainable maritime development.
The Blue Revolution scheme focuses on sustainable aquaculture.
The Green India Mission aims to protect, restore, and enhance India’s diminishing forest cover.
The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) also focuses on sustainable land use.
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) provides free legal services to the underprivileged.
The eCourts Mission Mode Project aims to digitize the judiciary.
India collaborates with international organizations and countries to achieve the SDGs.
Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) promote global cooperation.
Human development is about more than just economic growth; it includes people's overall well-being.
According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), about 27.9% of India’s population is multidimensionally poor, lacking access to health, education, and living standards.
States like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh have higher poverty rates compared to states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which have better human development indicators.
The richest 1% in India holds 21.7% of the country’s total income, which is significantly higher than in other countries in the region (e.g., Bangladesh at 11.6%, Nepal at 9.7%). Income inequality in India exceeds the global average and is higher than average in East Asia and Europe.
Rural areas lack adequate healthcare facilities. For instance, the doctor-to-patient ratio in rural areas is significantly lower than in urban areas, with rural areas having about 1 doctor per 10,000 people.
India has a high prevalence of malnutrition, with 35.5% of children under five years being stunted. The under-five mortality rate stands at 25.5 per 1,000 live births.
The literacy rate in India is around 77.7%, with significant disparities between urban (87.7%) and rural (73.5%) areas. Female literacy rate is lower at 70.3% compared to 84.7% for males. Gender gaps are also evident in higher education enrollment.
The unemployment rate in India was around 7.2% in 2023, and nearly 81% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, which lacks job security and benefits.
As of 2022, only 28.3% of women were part of the labor force compared to 76.1% of men. The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-23 shows that rural female participation improved from 24.6% in 2017-18 to 41.5%, while urban female participation witnessed a slight increase from 20.4% to 25.4%, which indicates that rural women are gaining more access to employment opportunities, but urban women still face significant barriers.
Major cities like Delhi face severe air pollution, with PM2.5 levels often exceeding safe limits. Water pollution from industrial waste and untreated sewage is also a significant problem. India is highly vulnerable to climate change, with increasing frequency of extreme weather events like floods and droughts affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
Improved coordination between central and state governments can ensure more effective implementation of SDG-related policies. Utilizing data analytics to monitor progress and identify areas needing attention can help in making informed policy decisions.
Strengthening social safety nets and improving agricultural productivity can address challenges like poverty and malnutrition. Focus on healthcare infrastructure to address malnutrition and maternal health can improve overall health outcomes.
Initiatives to increase women’s participation in the workforce and ensure equal pay can drive economic growth and social development. Promoting gender equality through education and awareness campaigns can help change societal attitudes and reduce gender disparities.
Investing in renewable energy and sustainable practices can drive economic growth while protecting the environment. There is a need to ensure that economic growth benefits all sections of society, including marginalized communities, which is crucial for sustainable development.
Improving the quality of education and ensuring access for all, especially in rural areas, can help build a skilled workforce. Expanding vocational training programs can equip individuals with the skills needed for emerging job markets.
Need to establish collaborations between the government, private sector, and civil society to leverage resources and expertise for sustainable development. Developing engagement with international organizations and learning from global best practices can enhance India’s SDG efforts.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.What are the key challenges India faces in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and how can these challenges be addressed effectively? (150 words) |
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