The India SDG ranking in 2025 marks a landmark moment as the nation secures its first-ever position within the top 100 of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. This stride represents India’s unwavering dedication to sustainable progress and sets the stage for navigating development complexities ahead.
What Is the India SDG Ranking in 2025?
In the India SDG ranking in 2025, India stands at 99th out of 167 nations, with a commendable score of around 67. This index, formulated by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), evaluates progress across 17 goals spanning health, environment, education, inequality, and infrastructure.
A Journey of Progress: Ranking Trends
Tracing the trajectory of the India SDG ranking in 2025, the country climbed from 109th in 2024, 112th in 2023, to 121st in 2022. This consistent upward movement demonstrates India’s stronger alignment with SDG targets and structured policy interventions
Regional and Global Standing
The India SDG ranking in 2025 positions India above Bangladesh (114th) and Pakistan (140th), though behind Bhutan (74th) and Nepal (85th), showcasing Asia’s mixed advancement in sustainable development . Globally, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark top the rankings, with Europe leading dominantly
Key Drivers Behind the Rise
The impressive India SDG ranking in 2025 is propelled by leaps in:
Clean energy—India stands third globally in renewable energy capacity contributions .
Healthcare—notable progress in child mortality reductions and healthcare services .
Basic infrastructure—improvements in electricity access (SDG7), mobile broadband (SDG9), and slum-free housing initiatives
Government flagship interventions—Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities Mission, and clean‑energy drives—are significant contributors
Lingering Gaps
Despite the improved India SDG ranking in 2025, critical SDGs show slow progress:
Rising obesity (SDG2) and nitrogen pollution.
Environmental concerns—biodiversity loss (SDG15), low climate action (SDG13).
Governance issues—press freedom, corruption (SDG16) remain problematic
Global Hurdles
At a global scale, the India SDG ranking in 2025 reflects broader systemic challenges: only 17% of SDG targets are expected to be met by 2030. Conflicts, limited fiscal space, and structural weaknesses hinder global progress The report emphasizes reforming global finance frameworks to support developing countries.
To build on the India SDG ranking in 2025, prioritized action should include:
Bridging nutrition and health gaps.
Strengthening environmental governance and biodiversity conservation.
Reinforcing institutions to improve press freedom and combat corruption.
Mobilizing domestic and global finance for infrastructure, green technologies, and social safety nets.
What the Future Holds
The India SDG ranking in 2025 showcases a promising start, but sustained momentum through robust reforms, funding, and international collaboration is essential to ensure India not only climbs further but also contributes meaningfully to global progress.
50+ MCQs on India SDG Ranking in 2025
What is India’s global rank in the SDG Index 2025?
A) 114
B) 109
C) 99
D) 101What score did India achieve in the SDG Index 2025?
A) 65.21
B) 66.95
C) 70.13
D) 63.89Which organization publishes the global SDG Index?
A) World Economic Forum
B) NITI Aayog
C) United Nations Development Programme
D) Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)India SDG ranking in 2025 improved from which previous rank in 2024?
A) 109
B) 112
C) 105
D) 110Which country ranked first in the SDG Index 2025?
A) Switzerland
B) Finland
C) Germany
D) SwedenIn the India SDG ranking in 2025, what region is ahead of India in South Asia?
A) Pakistan
B) Sri Lanka
C) Bhutan
D) AfghanistanWhich South Asian country is behind India in the 2025 SDG Index?
A) Pakistan
B) Bhutan
C) Sri Lanka
D) NepalWhich SDG did India perform well on in 2025?
A) SDG 13 – Climate Action
B) SDG 15 – Life on Land
C) SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
D) SDG 16 – Peace and JusticeWhat theme is covered under SDG 3, where India has shown progress?
A) Affordable Housing
B) Good Health and Well-Being
C) Clean Water
D) Gender EqualityIndia SDG ranking in 2025 reflects improvement due to which flagship scheme?
A) Ayushman Bharat
B) Ujjwala Yojana
C) Swachh Bharat Mission
D) PM Kisan
India’s performance on SDG 9 relates to:
A) Climate Change
B) Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
C) Hunger
D) OceansWhich SDG remains a challenge for India in 2025 due to obesity and nutrition issues?
A) SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
B) SDG 4 – Education
C) SDG 1 – No Poverty
D) SDG 5 – Gender EqualityIn India SDG ranking in 2025, which domain still needs governance reforms?
A) Infrastructure
B) SDG 16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
C) Energy
D) EducationWhich environmental goal shows slow progress in India’s SDG journey?
A) SDG 6
B) SDG 15 – Life on Land
C) SDG 4
D) SDG 3India’s clean energy efforts have mainly contributed to improvement in:
A) SDG 3
B) SDG 13
C) SDG 7
D) SDG 8The India SDG ranking in 2025 shows that only what percentage of global targets are on track?
A) 30%
B) 17%
C) 45%
D) 25%Which report highlights the need to reform the global financial architecture for SDG success?
A) World Bank Report
B) SDG Index 2025 Report
C) IMF Economic Outlook
D) UNGA Climate ReportThe Smart Cities Mission impacts which SDG positively?
A) SDG 17
B) SDG 10
C) SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
D) SDG 6How many Sustainable Development Goals are there in total?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 17
D) 18The India SDG ranking in 2025 is part of which global agenda?
A) Human Rights Charter
B) Agenda 2030
C) Millennium Development Goals
D) Climate Treaty of 2015
What year is the global SDG target deadline?
A) 2040
B) 2025
C) 2028
D) 2030India’s SDG progress is assessed annually by:
A) UNDP
B) SDSN and Bertelsmann Stiftung
C) IMF
D) World Economic ForumSDG 6 is related to:
A) Clean Energy
B) Clean Water and Sanitation
C) Innovation
D) HungerOne major barrier India faces in SDG progress is:
A) Trade embargo
B) Funding and climate vulnerability
C) Tourism decline
D) Lack of infrastructureWhat is a suggested reform in the SDG report for developing countries?
A) Export control
B) Debt restructuring and global finance reform
C) Immigration ban
D) Lower SDG goalsWhich Indian initiative contributes to affordable energy access?
A) Atmanirbhar Bharat
B) Ujjwala Yojana
C) PM Awas Yojana
D) Jan DhanWhich SDG deals with education, where India saw gradual improvements?
A) SDG 4 – Quality Education
B) SDG 6
C) SDG 8
D) SDG 14Which ministry in India coordinates SDG localization efforts?
A) MoEFCC
B) NITI Aayog
C) Ministry of Finance
D) Ministry of EducationWhich SDG target remains weak globally, as per the report?
A) Clean water
B) Gender equality
C) Climate action
D) PovertyWhich theme in SDGs aligns with India’s infrastructure development?
A) SDG 9
B) SDG 5
C) SDG 2
D) SDG 15
Which Indian state has been cited for best SDG performance?
A) Bihar
B) Rajasthan
C) Kerala
D) OdishaWhich initiative improved India’s sanitation scores?
A) Ganga Rejuvenation
B) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
C) National Health Mission
D) Digital IndiaSDG 10 is focused on:
A) Health
B) Hunger
C) Reduced Inequalities
D) IndustryWhich goal emphasizes gender issues?
A) SDG 3
B) SDG 4
C) SDG 5 – Gender Equality
D) SDG 13Who publishes India’s domestic SDG index?
A) UNDP
B) World Bank
C) Ministry of Finance
D) NITI AayogIndia’s performance in press freedom affects which SDG?
A) SDG 16
B) SDG 9
C) SDG 12
D) SDG 3SDG 14 refers to:
A) Life Below Water
B) Clean Air
C) Health
D) EqualityHow is India’s score in 2025 compared to the global average?
A) Slightly below
B) Higher
C) Equal
D) Significantly aboveWhat is India’s rank among BRICS nations in SDG Index 2025?
A) Lowest
B) Middle-range
C) Second
D) TopWhich global factor worsened SDG progress in recent years?
A) Olympics delay
B) Digital disruption
C) COVID-19 and conflicts
D) Industrial automation
India’s rank improvement in SDG Index is considered:
A) Insignificant
B) Random
C) Significant milestone
D) Technical errorHow many SDG targets are globally assessed?
A) 100
B) 117
C) 169
D) 200Which UN body launched the SDGs?
A) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
B) UNSC
C) ILO
D) WHOWhich SDG is associated with decent work?
A) SDG 10
B) SDG 8
C) SDG 3
D) SDG 2India’s growing urban population impacts which SDG most?
A) SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities
B) SDG 14
C) SDG 5
D) SDG 6Which goal focuses on sustainable consumption?
A) SDG 12
B) SDG 1
C) SDG 8
D) SDG 3Which Indian scheme supports rural housing and affects SDG 11?
A) RTE
B) Swadesh Darshan
C) PM Awas Yojana – Gramin
D) Mudra YojanaThe biggest gap India faces in SDG achievement is:
A) Energy
B) Technology
C) Finance and governance
D) TradeWho compiles India’s SDG data at state level?
A) Census Bureau
B) NITI Aayog
C) SEBI
D) RBIIndia SDG ranking in 2025 can be improved through:
A) Lesser focus on sustainability
B) Stronger policy implementation and global cooperation
C) Reducing development budgets
D) Isolationist approach
Key Points at a Glance
India’s Rank: Ranked 99th out of 167 (or 193) countries in 2025 SDG Index.
Score: Achieved a score of 66.95–67 out of 100.
Historic Leap: First entry into the top 100 (previous ranks: 109th in 2024, 112th in 2023).
Regional Comparison: Outperforming Bangladesh (114th) and Pakistan (140th); behind Bhutan (74th) and Nepal (85th). Top Global Performers: Finland, Sweden, Denmark lead the index.
Driving Progress: Improved in clean energy (SDG7), healthcare (SDG3), poverty reduction, electricity access, infrastructure (SDG9), housing.
Lingering Challenges: Obesity (SDG2), climate action (SDG13), press freedom and governance (SDG16), biodiversity (SDG15) are lagging.
Global Context: Only 17% of all SDG targets globally on track by 2030.
Call for Reform: Need for global financial architecture overhaul to support emerging economies.
Policy Highlight: Indian schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission II, Smart Cities Mission, renewable energy efforts fuel SDG gains.
Conclusion
Entering the top 100 in the India SDG ranking in 2025 is a collective achievement. It underscores that with cohesive policies and global support, India can transform its development narrative, ultimately fulfilling its SDG mission by 2030 and beyond.
Pingback: Indian Society and Economy in Early Medieval Period: Key Features, Trade, and Social Changes