Context:
NITI Aayog released 4th edition of SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) India Index 2023-24.
SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) India Index:
- It measures and tracks national progress of all States and Union Territories (UTs) on 113 indicators
- Aligned to Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s National Indicator Framework.
- Composite score for each State/UT was computed by aggregating their performance across 16 SDGs.
- Scores range between 0–100 (Score of 100 means State/UT achieved targets set for 2030)
- 4 categories of States: Achiever (100), Front runners (65-99), Performers (50-64), and Aspirants (0-49).
Key findings:
- Composite score for India improved 66 in 2020-21 to 71 in 2023-24.
- Between 2020-21 and 2023-24, significant progress observed in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 13 (Climate Action) and these goals are now in front runner category.
- Goal 13 records highest increase in score followed by Goal 1.
- Targeted interventions by Government – Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Goal 11), Swachh Bharat Mission (Goal 6), Ayushman Bharat (Goal 3), etc. had led to rapid improvement.
- All States have shown an improvement in overall score.
- Top States: Uttarakhand and Kerala with scores of 79 each.
- Top UT: Chandigarh.
- Front-runner category: 32 States and UTs.
- 4 states in Performer category: Meghalaya, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Bihar.
Source: News on AIR
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: According to the United Nations World Water Development Report, 2022, India extracts more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year.
Statement-II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world’s population living in its territory.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
(b) Both Statement-1 and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II is not the correct explanation for StatementI.
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. India uses about 89% of this groundwater for irrigation. Major share of total groundwater extracted by India is utilized for irrigation purposes and not for drinking and sanitation purposes.
