Sustainable Development Goals and India.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global goals established by the United Nations in 2015, succeeding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The SDGs aim to address a wide range of global challenges by 2030, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. India, as a key player in the global community, has committed to achieving these goals. Here's an overview of the SDGs and India's progress and initiatives towards each goal:

1. No Poverty

Objective:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Poverty Reduction Programs: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) for financial inclusion, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for rural employment.
• Social Protection: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to streamline subsidies and welfare payments.

2. Zero Hunger

Objective:

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Food Security: National Food Security Act (NFSA) ensuring subsidized food grains.
• Nutrition Programs: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS).
• Agricultural Development: Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation, soil health card scheme.

3. Good Health and Well-being

Objective:

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Healthcare Access: Ayushman Bharat, National Health Protection Scheme providing insurance coverage.
• Disease Control: National programs for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

4. Quality Education

Objective:

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Education Access: Right to Education Act (RTE), Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Digital Education: Digital India campaign, e-learning platforms like DIKSHA and SWAYAM.

5. Gender Equality

Objective:

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Empowerment Programs: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for LPG connections.
• Legal Reforms: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, stricter laws against sexual harassment.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

Objective:

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Sanitation Campaigns: Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission).
• Water Management: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Jal Jeevan Mission for tap water access.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

Objective:

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Renewable Energy: National Solar Mission, target to install 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022.
• Energy Access: Saubhagya scheme for universal electricity access.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Objective:

Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Employment Schemes: Skill India, Startup India, Make in India.
• Labor Reforms: Simplification of labor laws, social security for informal sector workers.

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Objective:

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Infrastructure Development: Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects for road and port development.
• Innovation: Atal Innovation Mission, promoting startups and incubators.

10. Reduced Inequality

Objective:

Reduce inequality within and among countries.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Economic Inclusion: Financial inclusion through PMJDY, social welfare schemes for marginalized communities.
• Legal Framework: Affirmative action policies, reservation in education and employment.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Objective:

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Urban Development: Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT.
• Housing for All: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for affordable housing.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Objective:

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Waste Management: Swachh Bharat Mission for solid waste management.
• Resource Efficiency: Promotion of sustainable practices in agriculture and industry.

13. Climate Action

Objective:

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• International Commitments: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
• Renewable Energy: Expansion of solar and wind energy projects.

14. Life Below Water

Objective:

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Marine Conservation: Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
• Fisheries Management: Blue Revolution scheme for sustainable fisheries development.

15. Life on Land

Objective:

Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Forest Conservation: Green India Mission, Joint Forest Management.
• Biodiversity: Wildlife Protection Act, National Biodiversity Action Plan.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Objective:

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Governance Reforms: Digital India for transparent governance, Aadhaar for direct benefit transfers.
• Judicial Reforms: Fast-track courts, Lok Adalats for dispute resolution.

17. Partnerships for the Goals

Objective:

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

India's Progress and Initiatives:

• Global Cooperation: South-South cooperation, engagement in international forums like BRICS, G20.
• Financial Mobilization: Public-private partnerships, international aid, and investments.