NEW DELHI: In a historic milestone, India has secured a place among the top 100 countries out of 167 ranked for their progress in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the 10th Sustainable Development Report (SDR) released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network on Tuesday. India now ranks 99th with an SDG Index score of 67, marking a significant leap from its 109th position in 2024 and reflecting steady progress over the past decade.

The SDGs, adopted by 193 UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda, encompass 17 goals addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and health. India’s improved ranking highlights advancements in key areas, including poverty reduction, access to clean energy, healthcare, and infrastructure, driven by government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing), Jal Jeevan Mission (water access), and Ayushman Bharat (healthcare).

“India’s entry into the top 100 is a testament to coordinated policy efforts and inclusive development,” said a spokesperson from NITI Aayog, India’s apex public policy think tank responsible for SDG implementation. The SDG India Index 2023-24, released by NITI Aayog in July 2024, reported a national score of 71, up from 66 in 2020-21, with notable progress in eliminating poverty (SDG 1), promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and climate action (SDG 13).

Among India’s neighbors, Bhutan ranks 74th (70.5 points), Nepal 85th (68.6), Bangladesh 114th (63.9), and Pakistan 140th (57). Maritime neighbors Maldives and Sri Lanka stand at 53rd and 93rd, respectively. Globally, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark lead the rankings, while the United States, having withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement and formally opposed the SDGs, ranks last at 193rd.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. The global report notes that only 17% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030, with setbacks in areas like hunger (SDG 2) and press freedom (SDG 16). In India, gender equality (SDG 5) and zero hunger (SDG 2) require intensified efforts, as highlighted by the UN-backed SDG India Index.

The report, authored by economist Jeffrey Sachs and published ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, Spain (June 30–July 3, 2025), underscores the need for reforming the global financial architecture to support emerging economies like India. “Conflicts and limited fiscal space are impeding SDG progress worldwide,” Sachs stated.

India’s milestone has sparked optimism on social media platform X, with users praising the nation’s strides while urging accelerated action toward 2030. As India continues its journey, experts emphasize the importance of state-level efforts and public-private partnerships to bridge remaining gaps and sustain momentum.