India

-        This reflects the urgent need to address simultaneous deprivations through a comprehensive policy framework aligned with SDG target 1.2 that aims to halve multidimensional poverty by 2030.

-        While Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh recorded major reductions in MPI, regional gaps continue to require targeted policy attention.

-        Climate change further intensifies vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalised populations dependent on agriculture and natural resources.

-        Urban pressures, including housing shortages, infrastructure demands and gaps in employment opportunities, also pose significant risks to sustained poverty reduction.

Solution

-        Key initiatives such as PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Poshan, Saubhagya, Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Awas Yojana and Jan Dhan Yojana have significantly improved access to clean fuel, nutrition, sanitation, electricity, drinking water and financial services.

-        This period saw 135 million people escaping multidimensional poverty, while extreme poverty fell sharply from 16.2% in 2011-2012 to 2.3% in 2022-2023, lifting 171 million people above the extreme poverty line.

-        The expansion of social protection coverage to nearly 920 million people and strong outcomes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), demonstrate sustained national progress.

-        While India is projected to meet SDG target ahead of 2030, bridging intra-state disparities, strengthening resilient livelihoods and expanding affordable urban housing remain critical areas requiring continued effort.

-        Additionally, supporting tribal and Scheduled Caste communities, enhancing digital inclusion and ensuring long-term sustainability of social protection schemes will be essential to achieving comprehensive and lasting poverty eradication.

-        The steady rise in foodgrain production from 204.6 million tonnes in 2004-2005 to an estimated 332.3 million tonnes in 2023-2024, alongside a 63.56% increase in milk production over the past decade, demonstrates the nation’s continued prioritisation of agricultural resilience, improved nutrition and farmer welfare.

-        These advances support the need for comprehensive, climate-adaptive and inclusive strategies to ensure that all people, especially the vulnerable, have access to sufficient and nutritious food.

-        Variability in real Gross Value Added (GVA) growth within the agriculture sector, pressures from climate change, water stress and the need for sustainable input use continue to pose hurdles.

-        Ensuring the effective delivery of nutrition interventions, bridging gaps in digital adoption, and strengthening market linkages for small and marginal farmers also remain critical areas requiring sustained attention.

Solution

-        Initiatives such as PMGKAY, which continues to provide free food grains to 806.7 million people as of December 2024, and ONORC, enabling over 25 million monthly portability transactions, have strengthened national food security.

-        Schemes including PM-KISAN, benefitting 98 million farmers in February 2025, and initiatives under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) have collectively improved livelihoods, encouraged sustainable farming, expanded digital access and supported inclusive dairy and agricultural growth.

-        Persistent malnutrition, despite progress under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), PM POSHAN and Mission Poshan 2.0, highlights the necessity for deeper multi-sectoral integration across food, health, sanitation and education.

-        Continued efforts are required to strengthen data-driven planning, ensure wider reach of crop insurance, and support transitions to organic and natural farming to achieve long-term food security and agricultural sustainability.

-        Persistent inequalities, rapid urbanisation, climate pressures, and the continuing burden of communicable diseases such as HIV and TB, combined with the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, highlight the need for robust health systems.

-        Shifts in demographics, including population ageing and declining birth rates, further intensify the demand for chronic and specialised care, underscoring the urgency of universal health coverage, mental health support and access to safe, effective and affordable medical services for all.

-        Gaps in healthcare infrastructure, shortages of doctors, nurses and paramedics, particularly in rural and remote areas, and inequalities in service access persist.

-        Issues such as out-of-pocket expenditure, varying state-level health capacities, and limited digital connectivity in some regions continue to hinder the full realisation of universal health coverage.

-        Meanwhile, demographic changes, including an expanding elderly population, place additional pressure on health systems and social protection mechanisms.

Solution

-        Institutional births rose from 79% (2015-2016) to 89% (2019-2021), while programmes such as PMSMA, E-PMSMA, NHM, AB PM-JAY, PM-ABHIM, AHWCs and the Universal Immunization Programme have enhanced reproductive, maternal, child and primary healthcare services.

-        Technology-driven initiatives, including Aarogya Setu, ABDM and U-WIN, have strengthened disease surveillance, digital healthcare access and vaccination coverage, supported by targeted movements such as Fit India and Eat Right India to promote preventive health.

-        Strengthening the healthcare workforce, improving digital infrastructure at the last-mile level, and ensuring that all citizens benefit from schemes such as AB PM-JAY, remain key areas for action.

-        Persistent challenges in disease elimination, particularly tuberculosis and HIV, require sustained investment and innovation.

-        Ensuring long-term system resilience, especially in the face of future pandemics and public health emergencies, also remains a critical issue on the path to achieving SDG 3 by 2030.

-        SDG 4 aims to ensure that all girls and boys complete primary and secondary schooling by 2030, with equal access to affordable vocational training, the elimination of gender and wealth disparities, and universal access to quality higher education.

-        It also emphasises lifelong learning, substantial adult literacy and numeracy, and the development of child-, disability- and gender-sensitive learning environments.

-        This framework reflects the need to equip learners with essential knowledge, skills and competencies for personal growth, employability and meaningful engagement in a rapidly evolving society.

-        Quality of education remains a key concern, as uneven learning outcomes and competency gaps can push students out of the system and hinder long-term progress.

-        Infrastructure deficits continue in some schools, including limited access to disabled-friendly facilities, where only 58.5% of government schools have ramps and handrails and 31.1% have Children with Special Needs (CWSN)-friendly toilets.

-        Teacher capacity and digital readiness require ongoing investment to meet the expectations of new pedagogical approaches, technological integration and NEP 2020 reforms.

-        Persistent gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy, alongside varying state capacities in implementation, also pose barriers to achieving equitable and high-quality education nationwide.

Solution

-        Through major national reforms such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, multiple initiatives, including NISHTHA, Vidya Pravesh, DIKSHA, KGBV, STARS, PARAKH, PM SHRI, ULLAS and PM POSHAN, are strengthening access, equity and quality.

-        The GER has reached 93% at primary level, with sustained efforts underway to improve secondary (77.4%) and higher secondary (56.2%) participation.

-        School dropout rates have declined to 1.9% at primary, 5.2% at upper primary and 14.1% at secondary level. Improvements in infrastructure are evident, with schools having computers rising from 38.5% in 2019-2020 to 57.2% in 2023-2024, and Internet availability increasing from 22.3% to 53.9% in the same period.

-        Targeted interventions for CWSN, early childhood education reforms such as Aadharshila and Navchetana (2024), and national programmes such as NIPUN Bharat and ONOS continue to strengthen foundational learning, digital access and higher education quality across the country.

-        Continued challenges in last-mile digital connectivity, teacher training, competency-based assessments and inclusive learning environments hinder full realisation of NEP 2020 objectives.

-        The transformation of all HEIs into multidisciplinary institutions by 2040 requires sustained investment, regulatory alignment and enhanced research and innovation ecosystems.

-        Furthermore, ensuring that initiatives such as PM SHRI Schools, PARAKH assessments, ULLAS literacy goals and NIPUN Bharat targets translate into measurable improvements for every learner remains essential.

-        Addressing these unresolved gaps is critical for India to achieve SDG 4 and build an equitable, future-ready education system.

-        SDG 5 seeks to eliminate all forms of violence, trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and girls, while recognising unpaid care and domestic work. It emphasises full and effective participation and equal opportunities for women in leadership across political, economic and public life.

-        Ensuring gender equality and empowerment not only upholds basic rights but also strengthens societal and economic progress by providing women with equal access to education, healthcare, decent work, technology and decision-making roles.

-        Violence against women persists, and societal biases continue to limit women's opportunities.

-        Barriers such as childcare and homemaking responsibilities remain significant, with 43.04% of women identifying them as constraints on employment.

-        Regional disparities, child marriage (23.3% of women aged 20-24 years married before 18 in 2019-2021), and limited access to resources and decision-making further restrict progress.

-        Integrating multiple initiatives across sectors and ensuring effective enforcement of laws such as the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 remain ongoing challenges.

Solution

-        Greater awareness of gender equality, financial inclusion initiatives, and support for women entrepreneurs have enhanced women-led development.

-        Legislative progress, such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, reserves one-third of seats for women in national and state legislatures.

-        Over 45% of representatives in local government bodies are women, surpassing the global average of 35.47%.

-        Initiatives such as One Stop Centres, Women Helplines (181-WHL), Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas and the National Crèche Scheme (Palna) ensure safety, rehabilitation and workforce participation for women.

-        The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and its flagship Award-To-Reward initiative have supported over 730 women and 65 top performers in diverse sectors, with over 50,000 registered users benefiting from mentorship, funding and business growth support.

-        Expanding access to financial, digital and entrepreneurial resources for women, ensuring inclusive support for childcare and family responsibilities, and sustaining long-term behavioural and social change are critical.

-        Strengthening inter-sectoral co-ordination, scaling up mentorship and entrepreneurship programmes, and monitoring progress at national, state and local levels will be essential to ensure women’s empowerment translates into equitable and sustainable societal development.

-        Clean water and sanitation are essential for health, economic productivity, and overall well-being.

-        Water scarcity, pollution, and inadequate hygiene compromise food security, livelihoods and education, particularly for low-income families.

-        Protecting water-related ecosystems and increasing water-use efficiency are critical to social development, economic prosperity, and achieving sustainable development objectives.

-        Natural disasters such as floods and droughts disrupt water and sanitation systems, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, especially women and girls.

-        Geographical constraints in remote and ecologically sensitive areas, combined with institutional gaps in planning and execution, hinder consistent service delivery.

-        Encouraging active community participation can be difficult where traditional practices and social norms are deeply entrenched.

Solution

-        Tap water coverage increased from 17% (32.3 million households) to over 80.26% (155.4 million households) by March 2025.

-        The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Phase I and II has expanded access to improved sanitation, with 69% of households now using improved facilities and more than 600,000 villages declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

-        Innovative digital platforms such as Jhar-Jal, JJM BRAIN and Smart Water Management enhance monitoring, transparency, and service delivery.

-        Other programmes, including Atal Bhujal Yojana, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, AMRUT 2.0, and PMKSY, focus on groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation.

-        These efforts have improved public health, reduced groundwater contamination, generated employment, and enhanced rural women’s welfare.

-        Ensuring equitable distribution, managing water resources efficiently, and maintaining water quality remain ongoing concerns.

-        Long-term solutions must integrate community engagement, innovative technologies, and holistic water governance to address ecological, social, and institutional challenges.

-        SDG 7 seeks to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and efficient energy services by 2030.

-        Expanding infrastructure, upgrading technology, and promoting clean and efficient energy are essential to meet increasing demand and support sustainable development.

-        Access to energy also underpins climate action, economic growth, and improved living standards across all sectors of society.

-        High costs of renewable energy solutions, land acquisition issues, grid modernisation requirements, and connectivity limitations hinder full adoption.

-        Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation increase electricity demand, requiring innovative storage solutions and reliable distribution.

-        Emerging technologies, such as green hydrogen, advanced batteries, and variable renewable sources, need further investment and skill development.

-        Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring 24/7 power availability, grid stability, and sustainable energy transition.

Solution

-        The Saubhagya scheme provided electricity to 28.6 million households, while the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) supports ongoing electrification and grid reliability.

-        Under PM-KUSUM, over 610,000 solar pumps were installed by December 2024, with 3.5 million grid-connected pumps solarised.

-        Renewable energy capacity rose by 25GW in FY 2024-2025, with solar power additions reaching 21GW, and total non-fossil fuel-based capacity achieving 217.62GW by January 2025.

-        Initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar, Model Solar Village, National Bioenergy Programme, PMUY, UJALA, Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission are enhancing clean energy adoption, reducing emissions, improving rural livelihoods, and supporting women’s empowerment.

-        Ensuring affordability, sustainability, and resilience in energy supply remains essential, particularly for rural and marginalised communities.

-        Long-term solutions must integrate clean energy technologies, skilled workforce development, advanced grid infrastructure, and efficient storage systems.

-        Continued policy support, investment in innovation, and international co-operation will be vital to consolidate India’s position as a global leader in clean energy while achieving universal access to modern energy services.

-        Measures to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking, alongside policies supporting safe and secure working environments, underpin efforts to achieve full and productive employment for women and men.

-        India’s post-pandemic economic recovery, coupled with steady stabilisation and improved per capita growth, underscores its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development aligned with SDG 8.

-        Employment remains largely informal, contributing approximately 45% to GDP in FY 2022-2023, with 61% of women in non-agriculture sectors engaged in informal work.

-        Wage disparities, limited access to formal sector jobs, and sector-specific skill gaps hinder equitable participation.

-        Rapid digital transformation requires integration of technology with labour, necessitating investments in digital literacy, AI-enabled skills, and supportive institutions.

-        Ensuring that skill development programmes translate into market-relevant, sustainable employment opportunities remains a key challenge.

Solution

-        The National Single Window System, Central Inspection System, and digitisation of land and property records streamline business processes, while UNNATI 2024 promotes industrialisation and employment in the North-East Region.

-        Start-up India, MUDRA, NRLM, and RSETIs support entrepreneurship, access to credit, and skill training for rural youth.

-        The Skill India Mission, PMKVY, SANKALP, and Jan Shikshan Sansthan provide demand-driven vocational training, reaching over 16 million candidates by December 2024.

-        Non-farm employment is being enhanced through NAPS-2, IISCs, and international MoUs, while initiatives such as PMEGP, MSME Champions Scheme, and PMMY support micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fostering innovation, financial inclusion, and employment generation.

-        While female WPR increased from 22.0% in 2017-2018 to 40.3% in 2023-2024, and LFPR rose from 23.3% to 41.7%, gaps remain.

-        Expanding digital skilling, fostering AI-driven employment opportunities, and promoting inclusive entrepreneurship are critical to harness India’s demographic dividend.

-        Strengthening social protection, extending coverage to gig and informal workers, and ensuring practical skill acquisition aligned with evolving industry demands will be vital for inclusive, sustainable, and technology-integrated economic growth by 2030.

-        Investment in transport, energy, irrigation, and other infrastructure sectors supports countries’ sustainable development.

-        India’s initiatives, particularly “Make in India” and associated schemes, aim to enhance industrial capabilities, strengthen infrastructure, and encourage innovation to position India as a global economic leader.

-        Progress in these areas is vital for generating employment, improving connectivity, and promoting equitable economic development.

-        Manufacturing exports have slowed due to weak external demand and aggressive trade policies.

-        Infrastructure gaps, skill mismatches, and limited access to finance for small-scale industries continue to constrain industrial growth.

-        India’s workforce remains concentrated in low-value-added service roles vulnerable to automation, necessitating upskilling and innovation-led interventions.

-        Additionally, ensuring climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure while maintaining efficiency and affordability is an ongoing challenge.

Solution

-        The Dedicated Freight Corridors, industrial corridors, and upgraded infrastructure projects have enhanced connectivity and logistics efficiency, while industrial parks such as MIIUS and PM MITRA attract private investment with plug-and-play facilities.

-        Innovation has been boosted through Startup India, Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Atal Innovation Mission 2.0, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), resulting in 1,57,706 start-up certificates and over 1.728 million jobs by the end of 2024, with 48% of start-ups having at least one woman director and 51% located in non-metro cities.

-        Manufacturing under PLI Schemes has led to investments of US$18.72 billion and production and sales worth US$162.84 billion, generating over 1.15 million jobs.

-        Further emphasis on deep-tech innovation, research-commercialisation integration, and inclusive industrialisation will be crucial.

-        Promoting high-quality, climate-resilient infrastructure and enhancing access to global markets can ensure that India’s progress contributes to sustainable economic growth, equitable employment, and a robust innovation ecosystem in line with national and global development goals.

-        It also emphasises enhancing representation of developing countries in international economic and financial decision-making.

-        Reducing inequalities is crucial to ensuring that growth is inclusive, that vulnerable populations benefit from development, and that disparities between regions, social groups, and urban-rural populations are addressed.

-        Vulnerable groups, particularly persons with disabilities, tribal communities, rural poor, and women in less-advantaged areas, still face barriers in accessing healthcare, education, financial services, and livelihood opportunities.

-        In 2024, CART analysis showed that pregnant women in rural areas with less than five years of schooling had only 84.1% access to antenatal care, compared with 94.2% for the state overall.

-        Income inequality remains shaped by broader economic dynamics and global market forces that India cannot fully control, limiting the pace of convergence across all social groups.

Solution

-        The share of labour in GDP has increased, while the rural-urban gap in average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) has fallen from 84% in 2011-2012 to 70% in 2023-2024.

-        The Gini coefficient declined to 0.237 in rural areas and 0.284 in urban areas in 2023-2024.

-        Government initiatives, such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, and PM Janjatiya Vikas Mission, have targeted financial inclusion, income support, and tribal empowerment.

-        Schemes such as DBT for 1,206 programmes, the National Social Assistance Programme, Atal Pension Yojana, SMILE, and DAY-NRLM have strengthened social protection, financial access, and livelihoods, while 11.5 million SHG women have become “Lakhpati Didis”.

-        Strengthening governance, scaling targeted interventions, and leveraging technology and innovation are essential to address remaining structural and socio-economic barriers.

-        Continued focus on inclusive policies, social protection, and convergence of development initiatives will be key to sustaining progress, reducing disparities, and ensuring that vulnerable populations fully benefit from national growth and opportunities.

-        Sustainable urban development is critical for national prosperity, ensuring access to basic services while reducing environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

-        Cities must adopt integrated planning to balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

-        The increasing frequency of extreme weather events threatens urban safety and economic growth.

-        Tier-2 and tier-3 cities often lag behind in planning, governance, and infrastructure provision, while equitable access to public spaces, affordable housing, and sustainable transport remains a concern.

-        Effective integration of climate-resilient solutions and real-time data-driven urban management is still evolving across many urban areas.

Solution

-        The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) covers 100 cities, with 91% of projects completed by December 2024, including 1,740km of smart roads, 713km of cycle tracks, and advanced water and waste management systems.

-        CITIIS 2.0 and the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme are driving innovation, green infrastructure, and socio-economic development in industrial smart cities.

-        AMRUT 2.0 covers 500 cities, providing sewerage, water, green spaces, and GIS-based master plans for 447 cities. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – Urban and Gramin is ensuring affordable housing, with PMAY-U 2.0 launched in September 2024 targeting 10 million additional beneficiaries.

-        Initiatives such as Nagar Van Yojana aim to develop 1,000 urban forests by 2027, enhancing urban greenery and climate resilience.

-        Addressing infrastructure gaps, upgrading transport networks, and enhancing citizen participation in planning are essential.

-        Continuous innovation in technology-driven urban solutions, capacity building, and investment in resilient infrastructure will be critical for sustaining inclusive and environmentally sustainable urbanisation.

-        Targeted measures for smaller cities and vulnerable populations will be key to ensuring that the benefits of urban growth are widely shared.

-        According to the Oslo Symposium of 1994, sustainable consumption and production involves meeting basic needs and improving quality of life while minimising resource use, waste, and pollution, safeguarding the needs of future generations.

-        This approach is crucial for balancing economic development, environmental conservation, and social equity, particularly in rapidly growing economies such as India.

-        Achieving widespread behavioural change for sustainable lifestyles remains difficult, and gaps persist in recycling infrastructure and adoption of advanced technologies.

-        The transition from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy, while underway, requires ongoing fiscal, regulatory, and technological support.

-        Ensuring that circular economy principles are adopted across industries and communities at scale also remains a major challenge.

Solution

-        Recognised by the G20 in 2023 and the UN Environmental Assembly in 2024, Mission LiFE promotes actions across seven themes including energy and water conservation, waste reduction, e-waste management, sustainable food systems, and elimination of single-use plastics.

-        Complementary measures include Ecomark Rules 2024, circular economy frameworks, extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules for multiple waste streams, and large-scale renewable energy investment through RE-INVEST 2024, committing to 540GW of renewable energy by 2030 with US$386 billion in investments.

-        Zero-waste housing societies and urban waste processing initiatives, such as those in Navi Mumbai and Calicut, demonstrate practical implementation of sustainable consumption practices.

-        Increasing consumer awareness and fostering sustainable behaviour through continuous campaigns is essential.

-        Further integration of renewable energy, clean technologies, and eco-friendly production practices will be key to reducing environmental impact.

-        By advancing circularity and resource efficiency, India has the potential to achieve a US$2 trillion market and generate 10 million jobs by 2050, promoting both environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

-        SDG 13 emphasises the need for ambitious mitigation and adaptation plans, integrating these measures into national policies, strengthening early warning systems, and fostering partnerships across nations.

-        India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, recognises its responsibility to pursue sustainable development while addressing climate change impacts, ensuring both environmental protection and socio-economic progress.

-        The adoption of advanced technologies such as Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and integration of renewable energy solutions at scale requires sustained investment, capacity building, and effective policy implementation.

-        Enhancing urban and rural climate resilience, particularly in disaster-prone areas, remains complex, requiring multi-sectoral co-ordination and continuous innovation.

Solution

-        Targets include reducing emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, achieving 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030, and attaining net-zero by 2070.

-        Key initiatives include sector-specific missions on solar and wind energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water management, Green India, agriculture, and disaster resilience.

-        By February 2025, non-fossil electricity capacity reached 47.37%, while forest and carbon sinks increased by 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent. Innovations include the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), advanced weather forecasting under Mission Mausam, early warning systems for cyclones, landslide and flood mitigation programmes, and training of 100,000 Aapda Mitra volunteers.

-        Greater adoption of low-carbon technologies, resilient infrastructure, and climate-smart urban planning is essential.

-        The preparation of a comprehensive National Adaptation Plan (NAP), ongoing research, and investment in scalable solutions are vital for ensuring climate resilience across all regions.

-        Continued emphasis on integrating adaptation and mitigation measures into national policies will be crucial for safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

-        The goal emphasises regulating harvesting, conserving marine and coastal ecosystems, increasing scientific knowledge, and improving access to marine resources and markets for small-scale artisanal fishers.

-        India, with extensive inland and marine water resources, recognises the critical role of fisheries for livelihoods, nutrition, and economic growth, and the urgent need for sustainable management of its diverse marine ecosystems.

-        Small-scale fishers are vulnerable to declining catches, climate impacts, and competition from mechanised fleets, affecting livelihoods and well-being.

-        Climate-related threats such as cyclones, marine heatwaves, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels strain the fisheries sector and marine ecosystems.

-        Pollution from land- and sea-based sources, including micro-plastics and abandoned fishing gear, continues to pose risks despite regulatory and global collaborative efforts.

-        Ensuring adoption of sustainable fishing practices and robust ecosystem protection across India’s vast coastline remains a complex task.

Solution

-        The Government’s Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) promote climate-resilient livelihoods, infrastructure for coastal communities, and sustainable aquaculture practices.

-        Measures include installation of artificial reefs, coral translocation projects, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs), mangrove restoration under MISHTI (restoring 540 sq. km of mangroves by 2023), uniform fishing bans, mesh-size regulations, and financial assistance to States for coastal ecosystem management.

-        Advanced technologies such as Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART), Coastal Management Information System (CMIS), and Coral Reef in situ Observation Network (CReON) strengthen monitoring and protection of marine biodiversity.

-        Investment in public-private partnerships, sustainable blue economy infrastructure, and advanced marine technologies is needed to enhance monitoring, scientific research, and early warning systems.

-        Continuous focus on ecosystem restoration, marine biodiversity protection, and inclusive policy implementation is critical to achieve long-term sustainability, safeguard livelihoods, and ensure the health of India’s marine and coastal resources.

-        SDG 15 seeks to address global environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, land degradation, and deforestation.

-        The goal also emphasises fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources and prevention of poaching and trafficking of protected species.

-        India’s forest and biodiversity resources are critical for ecological stability, livelihoods, and climate resilience, highlighting the need for intensified conservation and sustainable management efforts.

-        Deforestation, land-use changes, unsustainable agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and urban expansion threaten forests and biodiversity.

-        Endangered species continue to be at risk from habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change.

-        Intensive agriculture and rapid urbanisation exacerbate soil degradation, desertification, and loss of ecosystem services, while the protection and connectivity of wildlife corridors require strengthening to maintain genetic diversity and ecosystem resilience.

Solution

-        Improvements in soil health (87.16% in 2023 from 83.53% in 2013) and reductions in grazing and biotic pressure indicate enhanced floral and faunal biodiversity.

-        Initiatives such as the Green India Mission, Forest Fire Prevention and Management, Nagar Van Yojana, Wildlife Habitat Development, Project Elephant and Tiger, and CAMPA funds contribute to forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.

-        The updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) released at COP 16 in October 2024 outlines ecosystem restoration, species recovery, community-driven conservation, and sustainable management of marine and coastal areas.

-        Implementation of the Biodiversity Conservation Scheme, afforestation under Green India Mission, soil health initiatives, and School Soil Health Programmes further support sustainable land and ecosystem management.

-        Legal frameworks, policy enforcement, and resource mobilisation must be enhanced to maintain ecosystem stability, biodiversity, and forest cover.

-        Additionally, promoting sustainable land-use planning, agroforestry, and soil health practices is critical for balancing development priorities with conservation, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and improved livelihoods for forest-dependent communities.

-        In India, the constitutional framework embeds democracy, justice, liberty, and equality, with legislation such as the Right to Information Act, Lok Pal and Lok Ayukta Act, and Whistle Blowers Protection Act reinforcing these principles.

-        Ensuring political participation of vulnerable groups and creating transparent governance mechanisms is central to achieving the goal.

-        Vulnerable and marginalised groups face barriers due to uneven service delivery, limited digital accessibility, and low judge-to-population ratios.

-        Preventing organised crime, human trafficking, terrorism, and corruption continues to require capacity building, co-ordination, and law enforcement responsiveness.

-        Strengthening community participation, promoting inclusive governance, and integrating self-help groups with Panchayati Raj Institutions are ongoing challenges to ensure effective local governance.

Solution

-        By the end of 2024, 1.3834 billion Aadhaar numbers were issued, facilitating secure identification and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).

-        The Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application has simplified birth and death registration.

-        National Crime Records Bureau data show intentional homicide rates remain roughly half the world average.

-        Legislative reforms in 2023 introduced the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakhshya, replacing outdated British-era laws.

-        Programmes such as Nari Adalat, Mission Vatsalya, Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur, and Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi enhance women’s grievance redressal, child protection, and participatory governance at the grassroots level.

-        Strengthening international co-operation is needed to tackle transnational organised crime, illicit financial flows, and ensure developing countries have equitable representation in global governance.

-        Continued focus on capacity building, technology-enabled governance, and participatory planning is essential to foster just, peaceful, and inclusive societies that support sustainable development at both national and global levels.

-        Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, multiple overlapping global crises, including climate change, shrinking fiscal space, rising debt, and declining remittances, have jeopardised the pace and scale of SDG investments.

-        Strengthening partnerships and mobilisation of resources has therefore become crucial to support sustainable development transitions across energy, water, and social systems.

-        High external debt and rising borrowing costs threaten fiscal stability, while geopolitical conflicts, global economic shocks, and pandemic after-effects affect trade and investment flows.

-        Ensuring equitable access to finance, particularly in least-developed regions and sectors requiring urgent investment, remains a critical challenge.

-        Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration, improving export competitiveness, and enhancing domestic resource mobilisation are ongoing priorities.

Solution

-        By 2022-2023, more than 77.5% of the government budget was financed domestically through taxes, while total revenues rose from 8.68% of GDP in 2015-2016 to 8.84% in 2022-2023.

-        Initiatives such as Goods and Services Tax (GST), Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), digitisation of tax administration, and AI-assisted compliance have improved public financial management.

-        Remittances from Indians abroad reached a record US$100 billion in 2022-2023, supporting household welfare, local economies, start-ups, and technological innovation.

-        India has also expanded its share of global merchandise exports from 1.6% in 2015 to 1.8% in 2022, and services exports from 3.3% to 4.4% over the same period.

-        India continues to advocate for fairer multilateral systems and more effective global partnerships to support SDG implementation in developing countries.

-        Further efforts are needed to leverage innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, impact investments, green bonds, and public-private partnerships, particularly for infrastructure, climate action, and social sectors.

-        Strengthening evidence-based policy-making and high-quality statistical systems, alongside promoting inclusive international co-operation, will be essential to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.