Q.13. Describe the various efforts being made in India to achieve the ‘’Sustainable Development Goals.

India has been actively working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a variety of efforts across different sectors:

• Policy Integration: NITI Aayog, India’s premier policy think tank, has been tasked with coordinating the SDGs. It maps schemes related to the SDGs and identifies lead and supporting ministries for each target.

• National Indicators: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) leads the development of national indicators for the SDGs, which are crucial for tracking progress.

• State-Level Engagement: State governments play a vital role in India’s progress on the SDGs, as they are best placed to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’ and to address the interconnectedness of the goals.

• United Nations Collaboration: The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries, and state governments in their efforts to achieve the SDGs, advocating for adequate financing and addressing goal interconnectedness.

• Government Initiatives: Several government initiatives align with the SDGs, such as the Swachh Bharat mission, Beti Bacho Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Smart Cities, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

• Climate Action: The Government is implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which provides an overarching policy framework for all climate actions.

• Private Sector Engagement: India has made a paradigm shift to a “whole-of-society” approach, engaging sub-national and local governments, civil society organizations, local communities, people in vulnerable situations, and the private sector.

These efforts reflect India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to create a strong, healthy, and just society while ensuring environmental sustainability.