NITI Aayog Releases Second Edition of North Eastern Region District SDG Index (2023-24)

In partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), and with procedural assistance of the UNDP, NITI Aayog published the second edition of North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index of 2023-24. The report focuses on monitoring the situation with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the district level and offers practical recommendations on how to enhance development in the region.

Key Details

Combined performance and achievements:

• 85% of the districts demonstrated that their composite score increased.

• The status of Front Runner has also been attained by Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura wherein they have zero districts in the Aspirant or Achiever levels.

• In Mizoram, Hnahthial ranked as the leading district (with the score of 81.43).

• Nagaland (3 districts) made an entry into top 10 performers.

SDG Indicators of Progress:

• In the Good Health & Well-being SDG, 93 districts had an increase in their scores.

• Sikkim illustrated best performance in all its districts with less variation in scores.

State District Performance:

• Jiri (81) to Bellary (67) - max (1372) points and min (67) points.

• Sikkim: Gangtok (76.64) to Gyalshing (71.14) have the narrowest range of scores or differences of 5.5 points.

• Tripura: Gomati (78.79) to Dhalai (72.29) in minimum intra-state variation of 6.5 points.

• Nagaland: Mokokchung (78.43) to Zunheboto (63.36) - difference of 15.07 points.

• These improvement was also recorded in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya where each district recorded improvement in the key indicators such as Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth.

State wise Achievement Summary:

• Arunachal Pradesh: Longding (58.71) to Lower Dibang Valley (73.36).

• Assam: South Salmara-Mankachar (59.71), to Dibrugarh, (74.29).

• Manipur: Pherzawl ( 59.71 ) to Imphal West ( 73.21 ).

• Meghalaya: East Jaintia Hills (63.00) to East Khasi Hills (73.00).

Important Key findings of NITI Aayog and MoDoNER:

• SDG Index offers an evidence-based formal policy tool of planning and resource allocations.

• According to the report, this is because of such schemes and programmes that have been implemented by the nations as well as the locals in the form of the Aspirational Districts Programme that have resulted in immense changes in the way SDGs are being performed between the various districts.

Conclusion

NER District SDG Index 2023-24 indicates impressive performance region wise as most of the districts have soared in terms of significant improvement in critical SDGs. The report is an important leverage to informed decision-making, directing interventions, to speed up development, so that no district can be left behind in the attainment of SDGs in 2030.