Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States in September 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
They aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
These goals build upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000–2015) but are broader, inclusive, and universal.

At their core lies the guiding principle:

“Leave No One Behind.”

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Explained

Goal 1: No Poverty

Aim: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Focus: Ensuring access to basic resources, services, and social protection systems for the poor.
Indian Examples: Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, PM-KISAN, MGNREGA.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Aim: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Focus: Increasing agricultural productivity, supporting small farmers, and improving food distribution systems.
Indian Examples: National Food Security Act, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Aim: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Focus: Reducing maternal and infant mortality, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Indian Examples: Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission.

Goal 4: Quality Education

Aim: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
Focus: Universal literacy, affordable education, and gender parity in schools.
Indian Examples: Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, NEP 2020.

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Aim: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Focus: Ending discrimination, violence, and ensuring equal participation in leadership and employment.
Indian Examples: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Aim: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Focus: Safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and wastewater treatment.
Indian Examples: Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Aim: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
Focus: Renewable energy promotion, energy efficiency, and universal electricity access.
Indian Examples: UJALA scheme, National Solar Mission.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Aim: Promote sustained, inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work.
Focus: Entrepreneurship, skill development, and fair labour rights.
Indian Examples: Make in India, Skill India Mission.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Aim: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
Focus: Investment in R&D, sustainable industries, and digital transformation.
Indian Examples: PM Gati Shakti, Digital India.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Aim: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Focus: Inclusive economic policies, social protection, and equal opportunities.
Indian Examples: Direct Benefit Transfer, reservation policies, JAM Trinity.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Aim: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Focus: Urban planning, pollution reduction, and affordable housing.
Indian Examples: Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Aim: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Focus: Efficient resource use, waste management, and green business models.
Indian Examples: Waste-to-Wealth Mission, Plastic Waste Management Rules.

Goal 13: Climate Action

Aim: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Focus: Climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and low-carbon development.
Indian Examples: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Mission LiFE.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

Aim: Conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources.
Focus: Reducing marine pollution, protecting coastal ecosystems, and sustainable fisheries.
Indian Examples: Sagarmala Project, Coastal Regulation Zone Rules.

Goal 15: Life on Land

Aim: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
Focus: Forest conservation, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.
Indian Examples: Green India Mission, Project Tiger, Project Elephant.

Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Aim: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and strong institutions.
Focus: Reducing violence, corruption, and ensuring rule of law.
Indian Examples: Digital Courts, Lokpal and Lokayukta Acts.

Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Aim: Strengthen global partnerships to support and achieve the SDGs.
Focus: Financial aid, technology transfer, and capacity building among nations.
Indian Examples: India-UN Development Partnership Fund, South-South Cooperation.

Summary Table of SDGs and Key Themes

Goal No.	Goal Name	Core Focus Area	Example Indian Scheme / Initiative
1	No Poverty	Poverty eradication	PMJDY, MGNREGA
2	Zero Hunger	Food security, nutrition	NFSA, PM Garib Kalyan Yojana
3	Good Health	Health and well-being	Ayushman Bharat
4	Quality Education	Inclusive education	Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
5	Gender Equality	Women empowerment	Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
6	Clean Water & Sanitation	Water access, hygiene	Jal Jeevan Mission
7	Clean Energy	Renewable energy	National Solar Mission
8	Decent Work	Economic growth	Skill India
9	Industry & Innovation	Infrastructure, technology	Make in India
10	Reduced Inequality	Social equity	DBT, JAM Trinity
11	Sustainable Cities	Urban development	Smart Cities Mission
12	Responsible Consumption	Resource efficiency	Plastic Waste Management Rules
13	Climate Action	Climate resilience	NAPCC, Mission LiFE
14	Life Below Water	Marine protection	Sagarmala Project
15	Life on Land	Forests, biodiversity	Project Tiger
16	Peace & Justice	Governance	Lokpal Act
17	Partnerships	Global cooperation	India-UNDP Fund

Conclusion

The SDGs represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity by 2030.
India’s approach to achieving these goals is integrated across national schemes and state-level initiatives.
Achieving the SDGs demands collective participation—from governments, businesses, and citizens alike—to ensure that development is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.