Which of the following group of states falls in the category of 'aspirants' as per the 'Sustainable Development Goals India Index' released by NITI Aayog in 2019?

Correct option is A

• Launched by:

  • The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) launched the SDG India Index in 2018, in collaboration with the United Nations in India.

• Objective:

  • To track progress of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN Member States in 2015.

  • It provides a composite score and rankings to encourage competitive federalism and data-driven policymaking.

• Number of Goals Tracked:

  • The latest edition (2023) tracks all 17 SDGs, which include targets on poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, climate action, etc.

• Ranking Criteria:

  • States/UTs are scored out of 100 based on performance in each goal.

  • Classification:

    • Aspirant (0–49)

    • Performer (50–64)

    • Front Runner (65–99)

    • Achiever (100)

• Top Performers (as per latest report):

  • Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh are among the top-scoring states/UTs in overall SDG performance.

  • States like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh have ranked lower due to challenges in areas like health, education, and poverty.

• Data Sources:

  • Data for the index is gathered from over 100 national indicators and government databases, including Ministries, Census, NFHS, and other surveys.

• Significance:

  • It acts as a tool for monitoring progress, identifying gaps, and fostering cooperative action among Indian states.

  • Supports localizing the global goals by encouraging action at the state and district levels.