From Policy to Progress: Assessing India's Strides in Achieving UN SDG 4 -written by Poonam Chanchlani (BCA, Data Science)

In a scholarly article authored by S.V. Subramanian, Mayanka Ambade, Akhil Kumar, Hyejun Chi, William Joe, Sunil Rajpal, and Rockli Kim, a comprehensive mid-line assessment of India's advancement towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is presented. This analysis focuses on 707 districts across India and evaluates 33 key SDG indicators related to health and social determinants of health.

The study draws upon data from the National Family Health Surveys conducted in 2016 and 2021. To measure progress, the researchers identified 33 indicators aligning with 9 of the 17 official SDGs as outlined by the Global Indicator Framework, the Government of India, and the World Health Organization. Precision-weighted multilevel models were employed to estimate district-level averages for 2016 and 2021. From these values, the Annual Absolute Change (AAC) for each indicator was calculated. India and its districts were then categorized as Achieved-I, Achieved-II, On-Target, or Off-Target based on the AAC and established targets. In cases where districts were Off-Target, the projected year for target achievement post-2030 was determined.

 

1.  Challenges Across 19 Indicators : The study reveals that India is not on track to meet 19 out of the 33 SDG indicators. Critical Off-Target areas include Access to Basic Services, Wasting and Overweight Children, Anaemia, Child Marriage, Partner Violence, Tobacco Use, and Modern Contraceptive Use. Disturbingly, more than 75% of districts lag behind in these aspects.

 

2. Worsening Trends: The research identifies worsening trends between 2016 and 2021. If corrective actions aren't taken, many districts are unlikely to achieve SDG targets even well beyond 2030. These Off-Target districts are predominantly located in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha.

 

3. No Advantage in Aspirational Districts: Contrary to expectations, Aspirational Districts do not demonstrate superior progress in meeting SDG targets compared to other districts for most indicators.

The mid-line assessment underscores the urgency of accelerating progress in four critical SDG goals: No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), and Gender Equality (SDG 5). The study calls for the development of a strategic roadmap to ensure India's success in achieving these foundational health and social determinants of health-related SDGs promptly and equitably. India's ascension as a global economic power hinges on addressing these fundamental challenges effectively and expeditiously.

This comprehensive evaluation serves as a vital tool in guiding India towards a sustainable and equitable future, aligning with its commitment to the global SDGs agenda.