Assam has emerged as a leader in sustainable development within the Northeast, as per the latest SDG India Index 2023-24 by NITI Aayog. The State has improved its overall score by 8 points since the 2020-21 edition, reflecting substantial progress.
Since the introduction of the index in 2018, Assam has consistently enhanced its performance, increasing its score by 16 points. This achievement places Assam in the “Front Runner” category, which includes states scoring between 65 and 99 on the SDG index, highlighting its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Manipur has matched Assam’s progress, also improving by 8 points and joining the “Front Runner” category. Other Northeastern States have also shown progress: Tripura advanced by 6 points, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim by 5 each, Mizoram by 4, Meghalaya by 3, and Nagaland by 2.
While most Northeastern States have reached the “Front Runner” status, Meghalaya and Nagaland remain in the third “Performer” category. However, Meghalaya has attained “Front Runner” status specifically in the goal of Good Health and Well-Being, highlighting significant progress in this area.
The NITI Aayog report categorises States into four performance levels: achiever, front runner, performer, and aspirant. This classification helps track progress and encourages healthy competition among States in achieving sustainable development targets.
Nationally, the SDG India Index 2023-24 shows positive trends across all States and Union territories. The overall SDG score for Bharat reached 71, a notable increase from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018. Significant progress has been observed in goals related to poverty elimination, decent work and economic growth, climate action, and life on land.
The index measures progress on 113 indicators across 16 SDGs and serves as a vital tool for promoting competitive and cooperative federalism among States.
