MoSPI has undertaken several initiatives to address data gaps related to SDG indicators
MoSPI has undertaken several initiatives to address data gaps related to SDG indicators
Endorsing India’s commitment to implement the SDGs while responding to national priorities, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed the National Indicator Framework (NIF) for SDGs in consultation with concerned Ministries/ Departments, UN Agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate monitoring of the SDGs at national level. Based on the updated SDGs-NIF, every year MoSPI releases the Progress Report with time series data on Statistics Day (i.e., on 29th June) along with two handbooks which are derived from the progress report.
The latest Annual Report along with two handbooks released on the occasion of Statistics Day, 2024 are as follows:
These reports on SDGs are available on the MoSPI website (www.mospi.gov.in). As per Sustainable Development Goals – National Indicator Framework Progress Report, 2024, data is available for more than 95 percent of the national SDG indicators.
The SDG India Index 2023-24 Report, released by NITI Aayog highlights India’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Report shows significant improvement in the overall score from 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24. This advancement reflects better performance in 11 SDGs which include SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduce Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The SDG India Index 2023-24 is available through an online dashboard (https://sdgindiaindex.niti.gov.in). The details are available on NITI Aayog’s website (https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-07/SDG_India_Index_2023-24.pdf).
MoSPI has undertaken several initiatives to address data gaps related to SDG indicators. The Ministry conducts regular consultations with line Ministries, Departments, and respective Custodian Agencies.
To institutionalize these discussions, MoSPI, NITI Aayog, and the United Nations, represented by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) in New Delhi, have entered into a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (signed on 3 February 2023 for a period of five years) to support data, indicators, and statistics for monitoring SDGs in India. The MoU aims to collaborate on statistical monitoring of SDG Goals and Targets, including leveraging new technologies, capacity development to track SDG-related outcomes, and addressing emerging requirements.
Following this MoU, MoSPI has established the Data for Development Coordination Forum (DDCF) on SDGs, co-chaired by the Director General (Central Statistics) of NSO, MoSPI, and the UN Resident Coordinator. The DDCF is tasked with developing data plans, enhancing the indicator framework through comprehensive stakeholder reviews, and facilitating discussions on SDG-related issues with relevant stakeholders including Central Ministries and UN Agencies on a unified platform.
To bridge data gaps on SDGs, MoSPI has conducted certain surveys and aligned some of its existing surveys, such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), as per SDG data requirements. MoSPI and NITI Aayog also organised workshops/meetings on SDG monitoring at national/sub-national level.
The Government of India and States/Union Territories (UTs) are actively working towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The key initiatives include aligning SDG targets with relevant schemes and departments, developing State/UT specific SDG vision documents, expanding the indicator framework to district and block levels, setting up of SDG coordination and acceleration centres to promote localisation and integrating the State/UT budgets with the SDGs.
NITI Aayog is the nodal institution for achieving SDGs in the country, leading the 2030 Agenda with the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism. It provides support to States/UTs in developing the sub-national 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. To accelerate the progress on SDGs, NITI Aayog is implementing SDG localization by developing a structured and focused approach.
MoSPI has undertaken several initiatives to enhance awareness of the SDGs such as setting the themes of Statistics Day on SDGs, showcasing the initiatives of government on SDG in exhibitions/workshops, etc.
Further, the central theme of the Annual Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (COCSSO) in 2019 was also focused on SDGs. This year during COCSSO, a breakout session was organized on “Best practices on SDG Monitoring” with participation from line Ministries and States/UTs.
This information was given by the 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 in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.