Which SDGs is India struggling to meet despite schemes like NAPCC?

Direct Answer

Despite significant progress and targeted schemes like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), India faces considerable challenges in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline. Key areas of struggle include SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). While NAPCC primarily addresses SDG 13, its success is intrinsically linked to progress in other goals, highlighting the indivisible nature of the SDG framework.

Background

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. It comprises 17 SDGs and 169 targets. India, a key signatory, has integrated these goals into its national development agenda, with NITI Aayog tasked with overseeing their implementation and monitoring progress through its annual SDG India Index. The NAPCC, launched in 2008, predates the SDGs but is a cornerstone of India's climate policy, directly aligning with SDG 13 and influencing several other goals related to energy, water, and agriculture.

Core Explanation

India's progress on the SDGs is a mixed bag. While it has made strides in areas like SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission, and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), several critical goals remain off-track.

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Despite being a major food producer and implementing the National Food Security Act, 2013, challenges persist.

• Stunting: As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), 35.5% of children under 5 are stunted.
• Wasting: 19.3% of children under 5 are wasted, which is among the highest in the world according to the same survey.
• Anaemia: A staggering 57% of women aged 15-49 are anaemic (NFHS-5, 2019-21). These indicators show that food security has not fully translated into nutritional security.

2. SDG 5 (Gender Equality): While political representation has improved at the local level, significant gaps remain.

• Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR): The FLFPR (for age 15 and above, usual status) was only 37.0% in 2022-23, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2022-23. This is low compared to global standards.
• Gender-Based Violence: High rates of crimes against women persist, indicating deep-rooted social challenges.
• Political Representation: The Women's Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), 2023, aims to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but its implementation is contingent on a future census and delimitation exercise.

3. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Rapid, often unplanned, urbanization poses a major challenge.

• Air Pollution: India has some of the world's most polluted cities. As per the World Air Quality Report 2023 by IQAir, India was the third most polluted country, with many of its cities featuring in the top 50 most polluted globally. This directly impacts SDG 3 (Health).
• Housing and Slums: A significant portion of the urban population lives in slums with inadequate access to basic services.

4. SDG 13 (Climate Action): The NAPCC and its eight missions form the core of India's strategy. However, the scale of the challenge is immense.

• Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions: India is the world's third-largest GHG emitter. While its per capita emissions are low, the absolute volume is a concern.
• Adaptation Finance: There is a significant gap between the required and available finance for climate adaptation, a key component of building resilience for vulnerable communities.

Why It Matters

Failure to meet these SDGs has profound economic and social consequences.

• Economic Impact: Poor health and nutrition (SDG 2 & 3) reduce labour productivity and increase healthcare expenditure, dragging down economic growth. Gender inequality (SDG 5) means underutilization of a significant portion of the potential workforce.
• Social Impact: Persistent hunger and inequality can lead to social unrest and instability. Unmanaged urbanization (SDG 11) creates public health crises and diminishes the quality of life.
• Global Standing: As a rising global power, India's ability to achieve the SDGs is a measure of its development model and commitment to global goals. Climate inaction (SDG 13) exposes millions to risks like extreme weather events and impacts agricultural productivity.

Related Concepts

• NITI Aayog's SDG India Index: The primary tool for monitoring SDG progress at the sub-national level, fostering competitive federalism among states.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): India's commitments under the Paris Agreement, which are the operational part of SDG 13. The updated NDC (2022) targets reducing emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
• Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Developed by NITI Aayog, it measures poverty based on health, education, and standard of living, providing a more nuanced view than income-based measures and directly relating to multiple SDGs. As per the NITI Aayog report 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023', India's MPI poverty fell from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21.
• Green Financing: The mechanism of financing projects that have positive environmental outcomes, crucial for achieving SDG 11 and 13. The Union Budget 2022-23 announced the issuance of Sovereign Green Bonds.

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UPSC Angle

Examiners expect candidates to move beyond simply listing the SDGs. They look for:

1. Interlinkages: Can you connect the failure in one SDG (e.g., SDG 5 - Gender Equality) to challenges in another (e.g., SDG