India is preparing to present its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2025. This will be India's third VNR since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, following presentations in 2017 and 2020. The VNRs serve as a crucial mechanism for countries to report on their progress, challenges, and lessons learned in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
NITI Aayog, the Indian government's premier policy think tank, is leading the preparation of the VNR 2025. In this process, NITI Aayog is collaborating with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private sector through stakeholder consultations to comprehensively capture India's progress towards the SDGs. The United Nations is also providing support to this inclusive and participatory process. These consultations ensure diverse perspectives are included in the review.
As part of the VNR process, several consultations have been conducted focusing on specific themes and vulnerable groups. One consultation focused on forced labor and human trafficking, with a particular emphasis on "Leave No One Behind" groups. Organized by the Association for Voluntary Action (AVA), the hybrid consultation brought together over 140 CSOs from 15 states to discuss challenges and propose solutions. The findings from this consultation will contribute to India's VNR report and also inform a stand-alone CSO report for broader policy advocacy. Another key consultation, convened by NITI Aayog, addressed the role of the private sector in accelerating SDG achievement and the vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Discussions explored social impact spending, the CSR ecosystem, responsible business practices, philanthropy, and start-up innovations.
Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), organized a National Consultation with farmers. This consultation aimed to incorporate the insights and inputs of Indian farmers into India's VNR report. Recommendations from the consultation included transforming current agricultural practices, promoting natural farming, ensuring land ownership for women farmers, improving access to traditional seeds, and strengthening market linkages for farmers.
India has made significant strides in aligning the SDGs with its national development agenda, reflected in the motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Collective Efforts for Inclusive Growth). The SDG India Index, a tool for measuring progress at the subnational level, has enabled the development of a robust SDG localization model centered on adoption, implementation, and monitoring at the State and district levels.
According to the SDG India Index 2023-24, India has shown noteworthy advancements in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action). Goal 13 (Climate Action) has demonstrated the most substantial improvement. Targeted government interventions such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, Jan Dhan, and Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY have had a significant impact, leading to rapid improvement across various SDG indicators.
India has successfully lifted millions of people out of multidimensional poverty through economic growth and empowerment. Enhanced access to nutrition, health, education, sanitation, and housing has led to reduced inequalities, especially among vulnerable populations. Through initiatives like the Clean India Campaign and the National Nutrition Mission, India has achieved significant progress in rural sanitation and reduced stunting and child and maternal mortality rates. India's climate action strategies prioritize clean energy systems, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and planned eco-restoration. The country has electrified all of its villages, reduced CO2 emissions through energy-efficient appliances, provided clean cooking fuel to millions of households, and set ambitious targets for renewable energy installation and land restoration.
At a National Workshop on Fast-Tracking and Reporting of Progress on SDGs, organized by NITI Aayog, the importance of accurate data collection and visualization for good governance and SDG advancement was emphasized. The workshop highlighted the crucial role of SDG Coordination and Acceleration Centres in developing accelerator plans, ensuring the convergence of schemes, leveraging data for informed decision-making, and addressing the SDG financing gap.
As India prepares to present its VNR at the HLPF 2025, the country's progress, challenges, and commitment to the 2030 Agenda will be showcased on a global platform. The VNR will provide valuable insights into India's SDG journey and contribute to the global effort to achieve sustainable development for all.
