Context:
The NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (MDoNER) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), released its 2023–24 Northeast District SDG Index. The report highlights a sharp rise in the share of ‘front runner’ districts, signaling significant progress in localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across India’s Northeastern states.
Key Highlights:
Overall Performance
- Front Runner Districts (SDG Score 65–99):
- 2021–22: 62% of NE districts
- 2023–24: 85% of NE districts
- A district is labelled “Performer” if it scores between 50 and 64.9.
Top-Performing Districts (2023–24)
| Rank | District | State | SDG Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hnahthial | Mizoram | 81.4 |
| 2 | Champhai | Mizoram | 79.8 |
State-Wise Performance
- All districts in Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura are now in the ‘Front Runner’ category.
- Significant improvements in Meghalaya (from 1 to 10 front runner districts).
| State | 2021–22 Front Runners | 2023–24 Front Runners |
|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | 13 | 16 |
| Assam | 23 | 31 |
| Manipur | 8 | 12 |
| Meghalaya | 1 | 10 |
| Mizoram | 7 | 11 |
| Nagaland | N/A | 9 |
| Sikkim | 4 | 6 |
| Tripura | 8 | 8 |
Areas of Concern
Despite the overall rise, decline in front runner status was noted for:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
About the Index
- Edition: Second (first released in August 2021)
- Coverage:
- 2021: 103 of 120 districts
- 2023: 121 of 131 districts (92%)
- Indicators: 84 in total
- 41 from central ministries
- 43 from state sources
- Provides granular, district-level tracking of progress on all 17 SDGs
