Nagaland ranks 25th in SDG India Index, shows improvement

DIMAPUR — The 4th edition of the SDG India Index for 2023–24, released by NITI Aayog on July 9, has ranked Nagaland 25th, along with Meghalaya, among all states. Both states fall under the ‘performer’ status.

The overall composite score for the state has improved from 61 in 2020–21 to 63 in 2023–24, according to an update from the DIPR.

The index uses 113 indicators mapped across 16 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to measure the progress of SDGs among the 36 states and union territories of India.

The state ranks first in SDG 5 (gender equality) in the index and is classified as a ‘front runner’ in six goals, a ‘performer’ in seven goals, and an ‘aspirant’ in two goals. The performance of the state in the different performance categories of the index is as follows:

Front runner SDGs: 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 13 (climate action), 15 (life on land), and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

Performer SDGs: 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and well-being), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 10 (reduced inequality), and 12 (sustainable consumption and production)

Aspirant SDGs: 4 (quality education) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities)

According to the report, the state made significant improvements in its performance across the following goals and development indicators:

SDG 2: Nagaland and Lakshadweep are the only state and union territory that have achieved the target for reducing anaemia among pregnant women, with a prevalence of 22.2% compared to the target of 25.2%.

SDG 5: Nagaland is one of only five states and union territories in the country in the ‘front runner’ category, with a score of 74.

SDG 6: The score is the highest among all the goals for the state, with a score of 86. Additionally, 100% of the rural population reported having an improved source of drinking water.

SDG 7: The state has achieved 100% of the target for households electrified.

SDG 8: The state is a ‘front runner’ with a score of 76. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for those aged 15–59 years is 74.4%, which is higher than the national value of 61.6% and the national target of 66.9%.

55% of women are account holders in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), exceeding the national target of 50%.

SDG 12: The state has achieved 100% treatment of biomedical waste relative to the total quantity generated.

SDG 13: The state has met the national target of 100% compliance with environmental standards by industries.

The DIPR report mentioned that Nagaland has consistently been working on improving the monitoring process and tracking of SDG indicators, building capacity in data systems, and strengthening internal review mechanisms within the state.

Maintaining that this endeavour is made challenging by NITI Aayog’s heavy reliance on secondary data in the report, with no consultation mechanism with the state government, the report noted that some secondary data sources, such as sample surveys and reports, suffer from limitations. This can result in flawed outcomes that may not accurately reflect the state’s true position.

It said that these matters are being taken up by the state government with the NITI Aayog emphasising the need for more rigour in this important process of SDG monitoring.