Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index

1️⃣ What is the SDG Index?

The SDG Index measures country-wise progress towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These goals were adopted under:

UN Agenda 2030.

Unlike HDI, this index covers a wide range of indicators.

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2️⃣ Who Publishes It?

Published by:

Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

In collaboration with:

Bertelsmann Stiftung (Germany-based foundation)

Prelims trap:

It is NOT published by:

• UNDP

• World Bank

• IMF

Do not confuse with World Happiness Report publisher, though both involve SDSN.

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3️⃣ What Does It Measure?

It tracks progress across all 17 SDGs, including:

No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life on Land

It is multidimensional and broad.

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4️⃣ India’s Latest Rank

📌 SDG Index 2024:

India ranked 112th out of 166 countries

India showed improvement in areas like:

• Clean energy
• Infrastructure
• Digital inclusion

But challenges remain in:

• Gender equality
• Climate vulnerability
• Nutrition

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5️⃣ Difference: SDG Index vs HDI

HDI:

Measures only 3 dimensions — health, education, income.

SDG Index:

Measures progress on 17 goals — much broader.

UPSC may frame comparative question.

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6️⃣ National SDG Index (India)

Important distinction:

India also has a domestic SDG Index prepared by NITI Aayog.

Prelims trap:

Global SDG Index is by SDSN.
India’s national SDG Index is by NITI Aayog.

These are different.

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7️⃣ Static Linkage

SDGs replaced:

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

MDGs were from 2000–2015.

SDGs run from 2015–2030.

UPSC may test this timeline.

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8️⃣ Common Prelims Traps

• Confusing SDG Index with HDI.

• Mixing publisher (UNDP vs SDSN).

• Assuming SDG Index measures only poverty.

• Forgetting 17 goals structure.

• Confusing global and national SDG index.

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9️⃣ Likely Question Patterns

• Which organisation publishes global SDG Index?
• SDG Index measures progress toward how many goals?
• Which of the following is NOT part of SDGs?
• Difference between HDI and SDG Index.

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🔁 Quick Recall Box

✔ Published by: SDSN + Bertelsmann Stiftung
✔ Latest India rank (2024): 112 / 166
✔ Tracks 17 SDGs
✔ Broader than HDI
✔ Different from India’s NITI Aayog SDG Index